Hendrick Motorsports is entering the 2025 season with high hopes and strong momentum as the organization targets success at the prestigious Daytona 500, the biggest race on the NASCAR calendar. The team’s drivers and crew chiefs are focused on executing their strategies flawlessly to capture another iconic victory at the Daytona superspeedway, continuing their legacy of excellence in high-stakes racing.
Lineup and Experience of Hendrick Motorsports Drivers
Leading the charge for Hendrick Motorsports is Kyle Larson, a 33-year-old from Elk Grove, California, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet. Despite a challenging 16th-place finish at the recent Clash at Bowman Gray, Larson brings a wealth of experience with 1,106 career Cup races and a solid average finish of 14.0. His under-the-hood collaboration with crew chief Cliff Daniels aims to refine fuel management and race tactics at superspeedways.
Chase Elliott, 30, from Dawsonville, Georgia, pilots the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet with Alan Gustafson as his crew chief. Elliott, who finished 17th at Bowman Gray, carries the weight of past near-wins but remains optimistic. He has competed in 5,980 races with an average finish slightly below 13.
William Byron, 28, hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, commands the No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet under the guidance of Rudy Fugle. Byron secured a strong 2nd place at the Clash, boasting an extensive record of 4,308 races and an average finish of 15.1, reflecting consistent competitiveness.
Alex Bowman, 32, from Tucson, Arizona, drives the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet crewed by Blake Harris. Finishing 10th recently, Bowman is eager to build on recent successes at Daytona, with a career tally including 1,533 races and a respectable 19.2 average finish.
Rounding out the roster is Corey Day, a rising 20-year-old talent from Clovis, California, racing the No. 17 Chevrolet. This season marks Day’s first experience at a superspeedway, with Adam Wall serving as crew chief.
Hendrick Motorsports’ Historic Impact at Daytona
Hendrick Motorsports boasts a storied history at Daytona, where the team has participated in 1,417 races over its all-time career. The organization has secured an impressive 320 wins and 259 poles at this track, with a remarkable 1,322 top-five and 2,260 top-ten finishes. The drivers have collectively led 85,367 laps at Daytona, asserting Hendrick’s dominance at this crown jewel event.
Drivers Share Their Views on Daytona and the Season Ahead
Kyle Larson emphasized the importance of teamwork and strategy at superspeedways, stating,
“For me, the mindset is the same as it is at any superspeedway, executing as a team. Not just as a specific team, but as an organization, focusing on how you execute throughout the race: fuel mileage and fuel saving, executing green-flag stops, positioning yourself after the cycle, and then making good decisions from there. I feel like we understand the recipe to run well at superspeedways, and I think we’ve done a good job over the last three or four years. Last year, we finally got rewarded for being up front, so it was great to see the checkered flag at every superspeedway, which was something really unique for me. Hopefully this year is even better, and we can get that first superspeedway win, especially starting off at Daytona. I’d love that. It’s great to begin the season with the biggest race of the year, and it would be amazing to cap off last year by turning that momentum into a win in the DAYTONA 500.”
— Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet Driver
Chase Elliott reflected on past opportunities and his confidence going into the race:
“We’ve had some really close opportunities to win, that we didn’t capitalize on for one reason or another, but a lot of things have to go your way in that race to ultimately change that narrative. From my perspective, just to have another opportunity with a great team, and to know going in, ‘hey, we’re going to have a car capable of winning,’ you know, that’s really all you can ask for from where I sit. So, I’ve been fortunate to have that feeling every time I’ve been with Hendrick Motorsports over the years.”
— Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet Driver
William Byron spoke about the significance of a possible third consecutive Daytona 500 victory:
“I don’t know yet. I think it’d be huge. It would just be something that you’re proud of that you were able to every year find, kind of a new way to do it because there’s been two of them so far and both of them were really different and I think the third one, if that happened, would take a different form. Figuring out how to reinvent yourself within that race, I think that would be the biggest thing that sticks with you, probably. Sort of what it means to everyone on the team too. I think the team guys take a lot of pride in bringing a really good car and all the preparation that goes into that.”
— William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet Driver
Alex Bowman expressed enthusiasm about the season start and team dynamics:
“There’s a lot of excitement around Daytona; we’ve had a lot of good runs there the last couple of years. Being a crown jewel event, the one that kicks off our season, it’s a big deal. At the same time, it is just another race and having a solid run would be a great way to kick off the season. We have a lot of new faces on the 48 team, most of them have worked together in the past and I’m excited to get to work with everyone.”
— Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet Driver
Rookie Corey Day shared his thoughts ahead of his first superspeedway challenge:
“Daytona will be my first superspeedway in the (NOAPS) car and that’s kind of my last new discipline of stock car racing. I’m super excited and a little anxious for what’s to come and what’s going to happen. It’s hard to control a lot of things on superspeedways so I’ll try and control what I can, and we’ll see how it goes. I think we have a really good car and it’ll be a fun experience to start the season.”
— Corey Day, No. 17 Chevrolet Driver
What This Means for Hendrick Motorsports and Daytona’s Future
As Hendrick Motorsports approaches the Daytona 500, the combination of seasoned drivers and fresh talent creates an energized atmosphere capable of driving the team toward another successful campaign. With years of accumulated knowledge about superspeedway racing and strong team cohesion, they are poised to capitalize on their experience. The upcoming race will not only test their technical skills and strategic execution but could also set the tone for the entire 2025 season. Fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if Hendrick Motorsports can continue its tradition of excellence and secure additional wins at this defining event.
