Kyle Larson‘s 2025 NASCAR championship season with Hendrick Motorsports set a milestone for the team, securing their 15th overall Cup title, while sparking reflection and pride from Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon. As the next Daytona 500 looms, Gordon openly discussed the relentless drive behind Larson’s latest triumph and the expectations now resting on the reigning champion.
Reflections on a Pivotal Season in NASCAR
The year 2025 became synonymous with victory for the No. 5 car, as Kyle Larson clinched his second Cup Series title, propelling Hendrick Motorsports into the history books. The path to Phoenix, where the championship was decided, was marked by intense effort and teamwork, with even the sport’s legends like Jeff Gordon admitting the magnitude still resonates throughout the team’s shop. The No. 5 crew stood resolute, refusing to waver despite mounting challenges.
“Being around the shop in meetings and interacting with the crew chiefs, teams and drivers you realize how bad they want it, how hard they’re working just to get to Phoenix,.Then, when you see them pull that off, that’s what pulls me in – the trust and belief and excitement and nervousness you have for them. I definitely felt that throughout the whole weekend”
— Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
For Jeff Gordon, this most recent championship run is a testament to what can happen when teamwork and unwavering belief align. The glory of the 15th Cup title for Hendrick Motorsports, achieved in part through arduous meetings, strategic calls, and trust across the organization, will be immortalized in racing’s record books, even as its day-to-day challenges fade from memory.
“The record books years from now won’t talk about any of that, it’ll be that we won our 15th championship.. I think right now, where I am is just incredibly proud of knowing we put ourselves in that position. Our folks worked extremely hard and they did it.”
— Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
The championship finale in Phoenix highlighted a pivotal decision: while Denny Hamlin and the JGR squad gambled with a four-tire strategy, Larson’s crew chief chose two, setting up a final duel between rivals. This calculated move allowed Larson to seize the title, cementing a legacy for both the driver and his team.
Gordon Sets Lofty Expectations for Larson’s Future
Jeff Gordon, four-time Cup Series champion and now a leader at Hendrick Motorsports, expressed his high hopes for Kyle Larson following the championship celebration. The legendary driver, familiar with the pressures of the sport, openly shared his ambition for the Elk Grove native, envisioning a run at double-digit titles for Larson as long as he remains behind the wheel with Hendrick Motorsports.
“I’ve known Kyle for many, many years, watching him race sprint cars, and I always knew that if you can put him behind the wheel of a Hendrick Motorsports car, he’d do special things,” Jeff Gordon said of Larson. “I also believe that records and championships, they’re made to be broken. As long as he’s on our team, I want him to win 10,” said Jeff Gordon.
— Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
This goal for Larson, in the eyes of Gordon, is not just a personal aspiration but a challenge to sustain the legacy of success for both Larson and Hendrick Motorsports. With accomplishments already stacking up, Gordon’s words channel both pride and intense motivation for the team’s future.
Larson’s Relentless Pursuit of Racing Excellence
Kyle Larson has shown no signs of easing up since his second Cup triumph. Shortly after his win, he dominated in Australia, claiming a season-defining victory at Perth’s High Limit International event, where he secured a record $110,000 prize. His return to the United States saw him quickly re-immerse in competition at the Tulsa Shootout in Oklahoma, with preparations underway for the next challenge at the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals.
The demanding schedule embodies Larson’s unyielding competitive spirit—a trait which, combined with the trust and support from his crew chief, other drivers, and Hendrick leadership like Jeff Gordon, positions him as a persistent force not just in NASCAR but on tracks across the globe.
Anticipating the Next Chapter for Larson and Hendrick Motorsports
With the 2026 Daytona 500 drawing near, attention remains fixed on Kyle Larson and the entire Hendrick Motorsports crew as they pursue further glory after a historic 2025. The combined leadership of figures like Jeff Gordon and the unwavering performance of Larson highlights a team unwilling to rest on its laurels, prepared for whatever limits the next season demands. As new chapters in the Cup Series and international competitions unfold, the story of the 2025 title fuels both ambition and pride for all involved in this celebrated run.
