Kyle Larson, the reigning Cup Series champion, has significantly boosted the prominence of Hendrick Motorsports since joining the team in 2021. On nearly any race weekend, Larson emerges as the most frequent Hendrick driver to claim victory lane. Despite the satisfaction Hendrick has with Larson’s performance, team owner Rick Hendrick admits a key regret: not securing Larson’s talent sooner.
Early Encounters Between Hendrick, Larson, and Gordon
In a recent Harvick Happy Hour podcast, Rick Hendrick, Kyle Larson, and Jeff Gordon discussed Larson’s past and rise in NASCAR. Hendrick revealed he noticed Larson’s potential back when Larson was driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, a team that received engines from Hendrick Motorsports at the time. These business ties meant Hendrick and Larson crossed paths regularly.
Although Larson was reserved and not very talkative, Hendrick saw promise but struggled to build a relationship. Reflecting on this, Hendrick expressed disappointment for missing the chance to sign Larson before Larson even started with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Jeff [Gordon] actually brought him to me before he ever got in a car with Ganassi,
Hendrick said.
And that’s where I made a mistake. And if I had listened to Jeff, we would have been down the road further. 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.
Kyle Larson’s Development and Success with Hendrick Motorsports
Before joining Hendrick Motorsports, Larson spent six full seasons driving full-time at Chip Ganassi Racing. However, he struggled to reach his peak during those years. It was only after moving to Hendrick Motorsports that Larson truly flourished, capturing multiple wins and the Cup championship. The possibility remains that earlier opportunities with Hendrick could have led to even greater achievements in Larson’s career.
Jeff Gordon Praises Larson’s Work Ethic and Team Dynamics
Jeff Gordon, now vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, shared insights about what impressed him most about Larson. Gordon acknowledged Larson’s natural driving talent but highlighted the driver’s relentless dedication to pushing himself and his team. Larson’s ability to drive on the edge motivates his crew chief, Cliff Daniels, to fine-tune the car precisely to Larson’s demanding standards, elevating the entire team’s performance.
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. 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, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports
Looking Ahead: Larson’s Future with Hendrick Motorsports
Currently in his sixth full-time season, Larson’s career trajectory suggests he has many competitive years ahead. His partnership with Hendrick Motorsports, driven by relentless effort and mutual ambition, promises continued success. Rick Hendrick’s acknowledgement of missed timing underscores how crucial early decisions are in shaping a driver’s impact within top-tier NASCAR teams.
