Rick Hendrick Backs Kyle Larson Amid Winless Stretch Since Double-Duty Heartbreak
At one point this season, Kyle Larson looked nearly unstoppable. His commanding win at Kansas Speedway in May’s AdventHealth 400 was a masterclass in domination — leading 221 of 267 laps, sweeping both stages, and leaving little doubt that he was the man to beat for the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Championship. But as the months rolled on, that early-season brilliance gave way to frustration. Since that Kansas triumph, the Hendrick Motorsports star has endured a streak of heartbreaks, near-misses, and setbacks that have left fans wondering what went wrong.
Team owner Rick Hendrick, however, isn’t worried. In fact, he’s defending his driver with firm belief that Larson’s struggles are only a “temporary dip,” not a sign of decline. As the 2025 championship finale approaches at Phoenix Raceway, Hendrick’s confidence in Larson remains unshaken.
Hendrick Shows Faith in Larson’s Resilience
Speaking about Larson’s form, Hendrick downplayed the idea of a slump. “I don’t know that that’s a slump,” he explained. “But he did have some; it was a downer in May.” Hendrick was referring to Larson’s ambitious “Double Duty” attempt — racing both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
Larson’s double-header turned into a weekend of heartbreak. At Indy, he crashed out on Lap 91 after showing promising speed. Hours later, he returned to Charlotte for the Coca-Cola 600, only to be caught in a wreck within the opening laps. It was a crushing blow for both driver and team — one that seemed to mark the start of a difficult midseason stretch.
Since then, Larson has yet to return to Victory Lane despite consistently running up front. In fact, he has led over 1,100 laps since his last win — proof of his speed, but also a painful reminder of missed opportunities. Hendrick recalled one such race, saying, “He was in a position to win the race where we haven’t had a lot of success… and he ended up running out of gas.”
That comment referred to Talladega, where Larson ran dry on fuel on the final lap while leading, dropping to 26th at the finish. Other races have seen him lose leads due to late cautions, strategy missteps, or sheer bad luck. Still, Hendrick remains optimistic. “I’m excited about going to Phoenix with both cars. I think he’s got the bit in his teeth right now,” he said, noting Larson’s motivation to end the year strong.
As the only former champion among the 2025 Championship 4 contenders, Larson knows what it takes to win under pressure — having claimed his first title at Phoenix in 2021. With Rick Hendrick’s unwavering support, the team hopes to turn months of frustration into a storybook finish.
Hendrick Reflects on a Challenging but Rewarding Season
Looking ahead to the championship race, Rick Hendrick reflected on what it means to still be in contention after a demanding season. “It’s pretty special,” he said. “After all these years, winning doesn’t get any easier.” Hendrick Motorsports last claimed the Cup title with Larson in 2021, and since then, Team Penske has dominated the championship picture.
Now, with both Larson and William Byron in the Championship 4, Hendrick is savoring the opportunity. “If nobody else cares about the championship, we do,” he said with a grin. “It’s going to be a hard-fought battle.”
Both Hendrick drivers have put together impressive campaigns — Byron leading 1,278 laps this season and Larson just behind with 1,106. The organization even achieved the remarkable feat of having its cars run 1-2-3 in points earlier in the year. “That’s all you can ask,” Hendrick said. “To be competitive every week, that’s the goal.”
Beyond the numbers, Hendrick praised the teamwork and preparation that have kept the operation sharp. He credited Jeff Gordon and the Hendrick Motorsports staff for maintaining focus and morale through the ups and downs of a grueling year. “Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “It’s a race, but we’ll have a lot of momentum going into next year.”
Eyes on Phoenix: A Shot at Redemption
As the team prepares for the season finale, Hendrick’s message to his drivers is simple: stay relaxed, trust the preparation, and give it everything. “The best thing I can do now is stand back and tell them, ‘I’m proud of you. We got two cars out of the four — now let’s go get it done.’”
With a potential 15th Cup Series title on the line, Hendrick Motorsports heads to Phoenix armed with speed, experience, and belief. For Larson, this isn’t just another race — it’s a chance to silence the doubts, overcome months of adversity, and remind everyone why he’s one of NASCAR’s most complete drivers.
Whether it ends in triumph or heartbreak, one thing’s certain: Kyle Larson still has the full faith of Rick Hendrick — and that’s often all a champion needs to rise again.
