Hendrick Motorsports, a dominant force in the NASCAR Cup Series, is gearing up for another championship run as the sport introduces a revamped Chase format. The team, renowned for adapting to changing rules, believes the adjustments could further enhance their chances, with the focus keyword Kyle Larson Chase format benefits taking the spotlight this season.
Over the years, Hendrick Motorsports has proven itself under both the elimination and traditional Chase systems, with drivers like Jimmie Johnson, Chase Elliott, and Kyle Larson capturing multiple titles. Johnson capped his seventh championship in 2016, Elliott claimed his maiden victory in 2020, while Larson collected his first in 2021 during his debut and his second in the previous season. Even before NASCAR shifted to the elimination era, the organization amassed seven Cup championships between 2004 and 2014, thriving in the earlier Chase structure.
Anticipated Advantages for Larson in the New Format
Despite succeeding in both playoff models, Kyle Larson has captured his titles exclusively since the introduction of the elimination setup. However, his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, is optimistic that the latest changes to the Chase structure will align well with the team’s objectives, highlighting the potential for sustained performance throughout the season.
“Thinking back to our season in 2025, a lot of what kept us in the hunt for the regular-season title fight was the fact that we had some really good races going until a mechanical failure or a late crash, where we did score a lot of stage points, and that kind of kept us in the hunt,”
said Cliff Daniels, Crew Chief.
“So we’ve lived it a little bit. We’ve seen it. And now, of course, it’s going to be more of a highlight of that, where you’ve got to be there during the stages and put a whole race together. I think it’s going to benefit our team, and we’ve just got to make sure that how we strategize our races, how we execute, that we’re getting those points along the way,”
Daniels added.
Consistency and Points Prioritized Over Singular Races
The previous elimination era often produced dramatic finales, such as Larson’s famous triumph over Denny Hamlin at Phoenix. With the format’s revision, teams are afforded a larger margin to prove themselves over a longer stretch, rewarding steady performance rather than relying on a single decisive event. Daniels believes this structure helps strong teams like Hendrick Motorsports showcase their ability across the entire season, rather than being at the mercy of unpredictable moments.
Race winners can now earn 55 points instead of the previous 40, making each victory more valuable within the new points system. Despite Larson currently enduring a 24-race winless streak, his longest since joining Hendrick Motorsports, the team remains confident that their blend of speed and consistency will soon translate to wins. The added incentive for first-place finishes may provide the push Larson needs to return to victory lane.
Looking Forward to the 2026 Season and Immediate Challenges
With this year marking the return of the original Chase format, optimism runs high within Larson’s camp for the upcoming 2026 season. Their focus is on combining past winning strategies with the consistency demanded by the updated system. The immediate test comes at the upcoming Clash at Bowman Gray, contingent on favorable weather, as the team strives to start strong under the new format.
The changes to the Chase format represent a significant evolution in NASCAR’s approach to crowning its champion, and Hendrick Motorsports, with Kyle Larson leading the charge, appears well positioned to adapt and potentially capitalize on the new structure. For fans and competitors alike, the coming races promise to reveal how well drivers and teams adjust, with Larson’s performance under scrutiny as both the winless drought and the opportunities of the new system take center stage.
For @KyleLarsonRacin and crew chief Cliff Daniels, the focus has reset to 2026 … and preparing to defend their title.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 28, 2026
