Editor’s note: Today’s Hendrick Motorsports preview completes NASCAR.com’s countdown of team previews for the 2026 Cup Series season.
HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS
Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-crew chief pairings: Kyle Larson-Cliff Daniels (No. 5); Chase Elliott-Alan Gustafson (No. 9); William Byron-Rudy Fugle (No. 24); Alex Bowman-Blake Harris (No. 48)
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Team outlook: The ship remains steady for one of stock-car racing’s powerhouse organizations, which enters the NASCAR Cup Series season with all of its driver-crew chief pairings the same as they’ve been since 2023, with only internal changes reshaping the four-team attack. Kyle Larson will mount what should be a solid defense of his second Cup crown, but a new championship format could further benefit the Rick Hendrick-owned group, which has long been one of the sport’s most consistent. The other new wrinkles — a new Camaro body that all Chevrolet teams will have to adapt to, plus a new fitness and wellness facility (the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center) where its pit-crew athletes and employees will train.
“We’ve made a few adjustments over the offseason, some for necessity, some guys are either wanting to come off the road or do something different, new people coming in,” said Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon. “In general, just always trying to get better, just always trying to elevate, and so we’re very excited. I mean, I think all four of our teams are as put together as I’ve ever seen them, working together like I’ve never seen them before, and then adding this (athletics facility) only gets that excitement that raises the bar even that much higher. Of course, some of the changes with our car, with the Camaro, I think, are positive. The potential is there to get more out of it and look forward to seeing how we execute that.”
RELATED: All of Hendrick Motorsports’ wins by driver
KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 CHEVROLET
Experience: 11 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 402 starts
2025 stats: 1st in final Cup Series standings; 3 wins, 15 top fives, 22 top 10s, 1 pole, 1,106 laps led
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Driver outlook: Larson has now won two Cup Series championships, one in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports and the other in his most recent. The 33-year-old Californian tailed off slightly results-wise last year compared to other recent seasons, but his three-win campaign and overall performance are still benchmarks that others in the garage would covet. Larson continues with No. 5 team leader Cliff Daniels, one of the sharpest crew chiefs in the sport, atop the pit box. The likelihood of a repeat championship run — especially in a new postseason format without hazardous rounds of elimination — remains high for one of racing’s foremost talents.
MORE: Kyle Larson driver page
CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 CHEVROLET
Experience: 10 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 358 starts
2025 stats: 8th in final Cup Series standings; 2 wins, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s, 0 poles, 454 laps led
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Driver outlook: Elliott came up one round shy of another championship shot last year, with a late-season setback at Talladega Superspeedway the prime factor holding him back. The No. 9 driver crept back into multi-win season territory last year with victories at EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) and Kansas Speedway, and his versatility on multiple track types remains one of his top attributes. Elliott’s average finish (12.6) last year was second in the Cup Series, behind only Christopher Bell’s top-rated 11.2. Entering a championship format that rewards that same sort of consistency can only be a boon.
MORE: Chase Elliott driver page
WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 CHEVROLET
Experience: 8 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 288 starts
2025 stats: 4th in final Cup Series standings; 3 wins, 11 top fives, 16 top 10s, 3 poles, 1,330 laps led
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Driver outlook: Byron led the organization in laps led and pole positions last season, and his season-long excellence vaulted him to the championship stage in Phoenix. His work ethic and close-knit connection with longtime crew chief Rudy Fugle have helped him net multiple wins in each of the last four seasons, and this year’s expectations remain at a lofty pitch. First, though, Byron has a potential date with history — an attempt at a record third consecutive victory in the season-opening Daytona 500.
MORE: William Byron driver page
ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 CHEVROLET
Experience: 10 full-time seasons in NASCAR Cup Series; 361 starts
2025 stats: 13th in final Cup Series standings; 0 wins, 6 top fives, 16 top 10s, 2 poles, 165 laps led
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Driver outlook: Bowman inched into the postseason last season, scraping his way into the 16-driver field of championship hopefuls without a win. A new format should help the 32-year-old return there with more room for comfort, but he’ll be aiming to snap a winless skid that currently stands at 52 races. No. 48 crew chief Blake Harris said the team will enter 2026 with a new car chief (Nick Kerlin) and lead race engineer (Jonas Bell), providing what he called “a fresh start” with a new-look road crew for the group’s chemistry. Smoothing out some of the team’s execution and avoiding a repeat of the No. 48’s springtime slump from a year ago would help steady the ride this season.
MORE: Alex Bowman driver page
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