As the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season prepares to kick off with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, Hendrick Motorsports has announced significant changes to its team personnel, including adjustments impacting Chase Elliott’s road crew. These alterations come as part of ongoing efforts to sharpen performance and address key challenges ahead of the upcoming season.
Kyle Larson’s Team and Engineering Staff See Notable Transition
Following Kyle Larson’s consecutive Cup Series championships, his team is beginning 2026 with certain staffing modifications. Veteran crew chief Cliff Daniels, who played a pivotal role in the Phoenix Raceway title win, is shifting to pit road for the new season. Daniels recently credited a group including race engineer Cal Stewart, engineer Brian Ross, Shelton Ware, and Nathan Woodby for making a bold call on tire strategy that contributed to Larson’s victorious effort in a tightly contested championship battle.
Nathan Woodby, who had previously supported the team within the Hendrick Motorsports war room, will serve as an engineer on the road this season, reflecting a strategic realignment of technical personnel.
Changes to Chase Elliott’s Crew Include Addition of New Mechanic
Chase Elliott, aiming for his second Cup Series championship in 2026, will see an alteration in his crew lineup, with Thomas Heslink stepping in as a mechanic. Heslink previously worked as car chief for Alex Bowman and now joins Elliott’s team in a different capacity, signaling Hendrick’s intent to strengthen mechanical expertise around their championship contender.
Revamped Crew Structure for Alex Bowman’s Team
Alex Bowman, entering the final year of his contract, will experience a thorough reshaping of his support team. Nick Kerlin assumes the role of car chief, replacing Josh Kirk. Engineering responsibilities will be handled by Jonas Bell, newly acquired from Kaulig Racing. Mechanic duties will now be performed by Alex Mueller, who replaces Carl Haag, while TJ DiBlasi takes over as Interior Specialist from Michael McAndrews.
Blake Harris continues his role as crew chief for Bowman in the team’s fourth year together, tasked with delivering greater consistency after Bowman’s 13th-place driver’s standings finish in 2025. Bowman, the only Hendrick driver without multiple wins last season, will face heightened expectations to improve results, having last secured a victory in Chicago during July 2024.
Emerging Hendrick Talent and Contract Landscape in NASCAR
Hendrick Motorsports also supports promising rookies like Corey Day, who will compete full-time in the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts Series and may be waiting for an opportunity to join the Cup Series level. Another young driver under Hendrick’s wing is Rajah Caruth, set to remain active in the O’Reilly’s Series during 2026 across both JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Jordan Anderson Racing.
Beyond Hendrick, several prominent NASCAR drivers face contract expiration after the season, including Kyle Larson and Brad Keselowski—both seen as likely to remain with their current teams—and others such as Kyle Busch, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric, whose futures appear less certain according to coverage by FOX Sports. Meanwhile, Hendrick’s fourth regular Cup Series driver, William Byron, is still awaiting an official crew announcement.
Implications of Hendrick’s Team Adjustments for 2026 Competition
These crew changes at Hendrick Motorsports reflect a broader strategy to enhance team synergy and performance in the face of growing competition. Adjusting key roles in both leadership and technical capacities underscores the organization’s determination to maintain its status as a top contender in NASCAR’s premier series. The moves signal cautious optimism but also acknowledge the pressures faced by drivers like Chase Elliott and Alex Bowman to improve results amid a tight field of competitors.
As the season progresses, the impact of these construction shifts at Hendrick will be closely watched, with expectations high for the organization to return to championship-winning form following a challenging 2025 campaign.
