Rick Hendrick has openly discussed his regret in not signing Kyle Larson earlier, admitting that an initial oversight cost Hendrick Motorsports a future star years before their current success. The Rick Hendrick Kyle Larson regret centers on an early opportunity missed, one that could have shaped the NASCAR landscape far differently.
How Rick Hendrick Almost Missed Signing Kyle Larson
Back in 2021, Kyle Larson was at a major turning point in his racing career. After a one-year suspension from NASCAR following racially insensitive remarks and losing his seat at Chip Ganassi Racing, Larson was searching for a team willing to offer a second chance. Rick Hendrick and Hendrick Motorsports offered exactly that, giving Larson the No. 5 Chevrolet, a car with deep personal meaning to Hendrick himself. That trust was quickly rewarded, with Larson claiming ten victories and a championship in his debut HMS season.
Larson’s performance with Hendrick Motorsports has since been nothing short of spectacular. He has captured two championships and achieved 32 wins, further establishing himself as the face of the Chevrolet program. His steady success convinced Hendrick to secure him long-term with a five-year contract extension through the 2031 season.
However, Hendrick recently revealed that all of this could have begun years earlier. According to the team owner, Vice-Chairman Jeff Gordon initially urged him to sign Larson before the driver joined Chip Ganassi Racing. At that crucial moment, Hendrick declined, a decision he came to regret.
“Jeff [Gordon] actually brought him to me before he ever got in a car with Ganassi. And that’s where I made a mistake. And if I had listened to Jeff, we would have been down the road further.”
— Rick Hendrick, via Happy Hour podcast
This missed chance resonated with Hendrick, and when a second opportunity arose to bring Larson into the fold in 2021, Hendrick acted decisively. Investing in Larson paid off immediately through a dominant season and a promising future for both the team and the driver.
“But then, when I met with Kyle and Jeff, and I did, and we knew that he could get the job done if we put him in the right situation. Boy, did it work out the first year with 10 wins and a championship.”
— Rick Hendrick, via Happy Hour podcast
The Impact of Crew Chief Cliff Daniels on Larson’s Success
Key figures within the Hendrick Motorsports organization credit more than just Larson’s driving for the ongoing achievements of the No. 5 team. Jeff Gordon, who has played a pivotal role in team decisions, highlights the input and collaboration of crew chief Cliff Daniels. Daniels and Larson are recognized for embracing high-risk, high-reward setups, pushing the limits of their equipment to gain a competitive advantage.
“He’s on the edge, and that pushes Cliff [Daniels] to make sure that the car can live there on the edge, right? He can tune the car to get it to do what he wants it to do.”
— Jeff Gordon
Gordon explains that the dynamic between Larson and Daniels creates an environment where both continuously push each other to achieve more, constantly raising performance standards. This strong partnership has helped them stand out within an already elite lineup at Hendrick Motorsports.
“They push one another to just constantly raise the bar with the speed of the car, the abilities of the team, and I mean, to me, when you’re around these guys, it’s pretty obvious why they’re successful.”
— Jeff Gordon
A Team Built Around Excellence and Ambition
The admissions and reflections from both Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon underscore just how integral Kyle Larson has become to the team’s ambitions and how much effort has been invested in ensuring his and the No. 5 crew’s success. The partnership between driver, crew chief, and ownership has rapidly raised the bar for success in NASCAR and positioned Hendrick Motorsports as a continuing powerhouse.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the team to see how this commitment translates into future accomplishments. With a long-term contract in place and the proven combination of Larson and Daniels, Hendrick Motorsports is intent on building an enduring legacy in stock car racing, determined not to repeat past regrets but to capitalize on their current foundation for years to come.
