The Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR team is gearing up for a highly anticipated start to the upcoming season at Bowman Gray Stadium, as drivers and crew chiefs focus their efforts on building momentum and synchronizing their strategies. The team, known for its dynamic lineup and strong organization, is ready to tackle new challenges, aiming for a commanding performance in both qualifying and main events.
Meet the Hendrick Motorsports Drivers and Crew
Hendrick Motorsports brings an accomplished set of drivers to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series opener, each piloting a Chevrolet entry and working closely with dedicated crew chiefs. Kyle Larson, 33, hails from Elk Grove, California, and will compete in the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet with Cliff Daniels as his crew chief. Chase Elliott, age 30 from Dawsonville, Georgia, prepares to drive the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet under the guidance of crew chief Alan Gustafson. William Byron, a 28-year-old Charlotte native, will be behind the wheel of the No. 24 Valvoline Chevrolet, working with Rudy Fugle. Rounding out the team is Alex Bowman, 32, from Tucson, Arizona, who will pilot the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet with Blake Harris handling crew chief duties.
All four drivers are entering the new season with strong resumes and a renewed sense of purpose after an offseason dedicated to refining their strategies alongside their crew chiefs.
Drivers Reflect on the Offseason and Race Preparations
As anticipation builds for the new season, Kyle Larson expressed both eagerness and focus, highlighting the value of offseason rest while emphasizing the excitement that comes as competition draws near.
Offseasons are fun and give you the ability to refresh but as the new season approaches, I get really antsy and ready to go. I look forward to being around everybody again, getting into meetings and preparing for the race weekends and all of that. We’ll see what the weather is like, but either way we’ll be ready. I am just excited to get back to racing.
– Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet
Chase Elliott reflected on last year’s competition, pointing to the effectiveness of their previous strategies while acknowledging areas for improvement. He noted that while a strong qualifying performance helps, there are always unpredictable elements in racing.
It was a really smooth weekend for us, and I think that was probably the biggest takeaway. Qualifying well sets you up well for your heat race. Got us into a great position to have good track position all night. I don’t necessarily think that’s the end-all be-all. I think Ryan (Blaney) debunked that with his performance in the main. But certainly it would nice to get off to a good start again this year and I think we can do that.
– Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet
Adapting to Uncertainty at Bowman Gray Stadium
With the upcoming race at Bowman Gray Stadium, drivers are preparing to face unpredictable weather and the unique nature of the track. William Byron highlighted the uncertainties posed by the conditions but noted the team’s readiness following a productive offseason, and pointed out the importance of building strong teamwork as the season opens.
This weekend brings a lot of unknowns especially with the way the weather is trending right now. I’m excited to get back on track though, whenever that may be. We’ve had a good offseason, and the team has been working hard for the season to start back up. We have a couple new teammates so this will be a good first step to make sure we’re all working on the same page.
– William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet
Alex Bowman echoed his teammate’s thoughts on the challenging weather, emphasizing the technical adjustments required when racing in colder temperatures and the team’s determination to adapt.
I’m curious to see what’s going to happen this weekend. It’s definitely going to be cold; it was cold last year but not that cold. For me, it’s not that different. As a driver, we fight the heat all the time so it’s a nice change to drive when it’s cold. From the race team perspective, there are a lot of factors on the technical side that the team will have to fight with to try to keep things going through some really cold temperatures. I hope we can get it in; it’ll be interesting what shakes out, but whenever they let us back in the race car, I am excited to get going.
– Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Chevrolet
Looking Ahead for Hendrick Motorsports
With the opening race at Bowman Gray approaching, the Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR team is channeling their collective expertise and passion, despite the unpredictability of race conditions and new teammate dynamics. The collaboration between drivers such as Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman, paired with skilled crew chiefs like Cliff Daniels, Alan Gustafson, Rudy Fugle, and Blake Harris, positions the team as a strong contender to make a powerful impression this season. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see how Hendrick Motorsports adapts and competes as the 2026 season unfolds.
