Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) has made strategic changes within its pit crew assignments ahead of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series, beginning with the upcoming exhibition event, The Clash. While Kyle Larson’s title-winning crew largely remains intact, Alex Bowman’s No. 48 team faces significant adjustments as the team aims to improve performance after a challenging 2025 season. The focus keyword for this update is Kyle Larson crew changes.
Adjustments in Pit Crew Roles for the 2026 Campaign
HMS retains the core crew responsible for Kyle Larson’s championship success but has shifted some engineering resources to trackside roles to better support race operations. Nathan Woodby, previously the war room engineer, will now take on an active role at Bowman Gray this season. Meanwhile, Nick Kerlin moves up to serve as Car Chief for Alex Bowman’s team, replacing Josh Kirk.
Adding to the revamped lineup, Jonas Bell joins as the lead race engineer after working with AJ Allmendinger’s No. 16 team at Kaulig Racing, and Alex Mueller is set to replace Carl Haag as mechanic. The interior specialist role will be handled by TJ DiBlasi, who takes over from Michael McAndrews. Thomas Heslink, formerly Bowman’s Car Chief, will transfer to Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team, taking over for mechanic Sean Kerlin. NASCAR analyst Bozi Tatarevic has reported further detailed changes across HMS on social media.
Bowman’s 2025 Season and the Need for Change
Alex Bowman’s 2025 season fell short of expectations, finishing 13th overall without recording any wins, though he managed six top-five finishes. Both his average starting and finishing positions declined compared to the previous year. He narrowly secured a spot in the Cup Series Playoffs by points, benefiting indirectly when Ryan Blaney won at Daytona. Nevertheless, mechanical failures and misfortunes, such as an engine failure at the Bristol spring race, hampered his campaign.
“There’s no secret last year was a big struggle for us, and we’ve made an immense amount of changes to try to be better for 2026. Everything from the top down, really, with the exception of me, Blake, and (spotter) Kevin (Hamlin), has been a change. So, all new faces on the team,” Alex Bowman said.
Problems persisted into the playoffs, where Bowman was plagued by slow pit stops that cost valuable positions in early elimination rounds. His performances dipped notably at Darlington and Gateway, culminating in elimination after failing to accumulate sufficient points in the Round of 16 following the Bristol Night Race.
Hendrick Motorsports Opens Advanced Athletic Facility
In addition to crew changes, HMS has partnered with Atrium Health to inaugurate the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center on their Concord, North Carolina campus. This 35,000-square-foot facility is designed to provide comprehensive medical services, performance training, recovery therapies, nutritional support, and research geared towards about 50 pit crew athletes and staff members.
Alex Bowman, reflecting on his severe crash at Michigan last year, remarked that having access to such a center would have been really helpful. The new facility aims to enhance the fitness levels of drivers and pit crews, accelerate injury recovery, and reduce downtime by eliminating the need for extended travel to receive treatment.
Broader NASCAR Context and Reactions
While HMS focuses on internal improvements ahead of the 2026 season, NASCAR fans are experiencing shifts elsewhere, such as the removal of the ROVAL playoff race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in favor of a traditional oval layout, stirring strong emotions across the fanbase. Meanwhile, other series and drivers continue their own competitive narratives, with partnerships and sponsorships evolving, as exemplified by 23XI Racing’s extended backing for drivers Corey Heim and Bubba Wallace.
Within the racing community, controversies and personal challenges also unfold, including Stewart Friesen’s determination to race despite injuries and introspective comments from athletes outside NASCAR reflecting on their sports struggles. These stories underline the intensity and unpredictability that permeate motorsports and sport in general.
Outlook for Hendrick Motorsports in 2026
Hendrick Motorsports’ decision to overhaul much of Alex Bowman’s crew reflects a clear intent to reverse last season’s dwindling results and enhance competitiveness. Retaining the proven elements of Kyle Larson’s championship-winning team while injecting fresh talent and expertise into Bowman’s lineup exemplifies the club’s commitment to performance optimization. With the upgraded athletic center supporting pit crews’ physical readiness, HMS is investing in both personnel and infrastructure to sustain success.
As the 2026 season begins with The Clash, the impact of these crew adjustments and facilities enhancements will become evident, shaping HMS’s prospects and the championship fight. The team’s ability to adapt, coupled with Bowman’s renewed support system, will be critical factors in overcoming the hurdles faced last year and pushing toward a stronger campaign.
Some of the Bowman Gray rosters are up so we can start looking at changes for 2026.@DanielsCliff has kept the championship winning squad of @KyleLarsonRacin mostly the same but war room engineer Nathan Woodby is listed as going to the track at Bowman Gray. pic.twitter.com/6GEj48cKxL
— Bozi Tatarevic (@BoziTatarevic) January 27, 2026
Speaking with the @TeamHendrick drivers today, it’s clear that the new Atrium Health facility streamlines many things for them, especially recovery and nutrition.
Thoughts from Alex Bowman and William Byron. I need to transcribe Chase Elliott’s audio still, but he’s excited… pic.twitter.com/XS3C2jYhuI— John Newby (@JohnNewby_) January 22, 2026
