Kyle Larson’s entry into Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) in early 2021 marked a pivotal moment that reshaped the team‘s culture, largely due to the influence of Jeff Gordon stepping into a leadership role. Larson’s passion for dirt racing, which had been limited under previous arrangements, was embraced thanks to this shift, allowing him to pursue multiple racing disciplines while competing at the highest levels of NASCAR. This cultural change sparked by Larson’s versatility and Gordon’s support redefined the approach at HMS.
Rick Hendrick, the legendary team owner with over 316 race wins and 14 championships, was impressed by Larson’s dedication from the outset. Hendrick remarked on Larson’s relentless focus:
“He just eats, sleeps, and drinks racing. He wants to win every race.”
—Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
Before joining HMS, Larson’s secondary racing interests had been restricted. When he was with Chip Ganassi Racing, dirt racing was limited to maintain focus on the Cup Series. Likewise, Kasey Kahne had to give up his Sprint Car and Midget racing when signing with HMS in 2012. The arrival of Gordon as vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports changed the landscape by promoting driver freedom consistent with modern demands and the Next-Gen car challenges.
Jeff Gordon described their shared background as key to this understanding:
Image of: Kyle Larson
“I saw him at dirt tracks, and we had that background.”
—Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman
Kyle Larson’s Unexpected Support for His Dirt Racing Ambitions
Larson candidly shared his initial uncertainty about whether Hendrick Motorsports would support his desire to continue sprint car and dirt racing, expecting resistance based on earlier team cultures. He recalled a significant conversation at Rick Hendrick’s house before officially joining the team:
“Before I got hired, I went to Rick’s house and into his basement. A conversation about racing and what I’d been up to. It got to the point in the end when he was like, ‘Yeah, we wanna hire you. We want you to be part of our team…Is there anything that you want?’ …I thought I knew that Rick and Jeff and Hendrick Motorsports would be like totally against dirt racing. I was good friends with Kasey, and I could see that they wouldn’t allow him to run, and when they did, Hendrick didn’t seem like he would love it. And I was nervous.”
—Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
Contrary to his expectations, Larson was met with understanding and enthusiasm:
“I was like, ‘I’m just gonna throw it out there, I’d really like to race sprint cars still.’ I was waiting for them to be like, ‘Yeah, no.’ But they were like, ‘Yeah, no problem! We’ll let you do that.’ Jeff Gordon was like, ‘You know, we’re changing our culture at Hendrick Motorsports, we’re really trying to be different.’ I was like, ‘Wow, Awesome’…Man, they’ve been great. They’ve never said no to one dirt racing request I’ve had. It could be the night before a Cup race, and I had to fly three hours. They know I’m gonna get home at 4 in the morning, they’re cool with it…I’m sure they prefer I don’t do it sometimes, but it’s been great.”
—Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Driver
This newfound freedom provided a rare balance for Larson, enabling him to maintain versatility that feeds his competitive edge and personal passion across several racing disciplines simultaneously.
Kyle Larson’s Resilience Through Setbacks and Continued Drive
Kyle Larson’s journey is also defined by his determination to persevere through difficult moments. During his pursuit of a Double — competing in the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 on the same day — Larson encountered multiple setbacks in 2025. He suffered crashes in two Indy 500 practice sessions and experienced a severe collision at a Lakeside Speedway sprint car event when another car landed on his vehicle.
Despite these challenges, Larson’s persistence led to notable achievements, such as dominating the Kansas Cup Series race by leading 221 of 267 laps to a win. Even after facing twin wrecks at the Double attempt in both IndyCar and NASCAR events, his commitment to racing remained steadfast.
Larson has expressed interest in branching out into endurance racing, revealing a desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race — an aspiration that underscores his broader ambitions within motorsports.
The Team’s Recognition of Larson’s Unshakable Focus
Larson’s steady composure and passion have not gone unnoticed by HMS leadership. Chad Knaus, vice president of competition for HMS, praised Larson’s mental toughness and love of competition:
“Nothing really gets under his skin…doesn’t get wound up. He doesn’t get emotional about maybe something that happens on the racetrack.”
—Chad Knaus, HMS VP of Competition
Knaus added insight into what makes Larson a unique asset:
“He loves driving race cars and he loves competing, and that’s something that’s pretty special. And when you have a young man that talented that wants to drive all the time, you need to let him do that.”
—Chad Knaus, HMS VP of Competition
This philosophy has allowed Larson to split his focus between Cup Series events and dirt racing with the team’s full support, underscoring a culture at Hendrick Motorsports that values driver passions and versatility.
The Enduring Impact of Jeff Gordon’s Leadership on Hendrick Motorsports
The culture shift inspired by Jeff Gordon’s leadership has created an environment where Kyle Larson and other drivers can explore their full racing potential without unnecessary constraints. This progressive approach is not only driving competitive results but also fostering greater satisfaction and innovation within the team.
As Larson continues to excel on various tracks and plans ventures like competing at Le Mans, the commitment to embracing diverse racing formats reflects a larger transformation at Hendrick Motorsports. It signals a willingness to adapt in ways that may shape the future of NASCAR and the careers of its standout drivers.
Kyle Larson’s story represents more than just personal success; it illustrates how influential leadership and open-mindedness can unlock new paths in the fiercely competitive world of motorsports, promising an exciting road ahead for both the driver and Hendrick Motorsports.
