After securing ninth place at Kansas Speedway, William Byron remains sixth in the standings, holding a 40-point advantage. Despite starting 12th and finishing in the top 10, Byron’s lack of speed has generated concern within Hendrick Motorsports, especially for vice chairman Jeff Gordon, who felt the results were unsettling following Byron’s strong third-place finish the previous week at New Hampshire. These William Byron speed concerns highlight ongoing challenges for the No. 24 team.
Chase Elliott’s Dramatic Victory Shifts Attention
Meanwhile, Chase Elliott delivered a standout performance during a thrilling two-lap overtime shootout at Kansas, moving up from 10th to claim first place by a narrow 0.069-second margin over Denny Hamlin. Elliott’s win marked his second of the 2025 season and contributed to Hendrick Motorsports securing three drivers within the playoff top 10. Although this success offered some relief, Byron’s struggles maintained pressure on the team.
Jeff Gordon Voices Concern Over Inconsistent Car Performance
Addressing the media, Jeff Gordon openly expressed his worries about Byron’s speed deficiency.
“The 24 was the one that was kind of the eye opener today. They were pretty far off. They come out of here with a top 10 because they didn’t give up either,”
Gordon remarked. He added,
“That one’s got our heads, scratching our heads, and we’ll go back and diagnose kind of what they went through and why they were in that position. Just glad they pulled a good finish together there to get the points they needed.”
Gordon pointed out the ongoing difficulty teams face adapting to the Next Gen car’s nuances, where minor differences can drastically impact qualifying and race outcomes.
“The 24 is a good example of that. They tried a couple things, and all of a sudden they look like the car just came to life all of a sudden out of nowhere,”
he noted.
Playoff Pressure Intensifies Amidst Strong Competition
The current playoff environment brings extraordinary pressure, amplified by rival manufacturers’ performances. Ford teams, especially those from Penske, have shown strength at specific circuits, while Toyota continues to excel in long-run races. This competitive landscape forced Hendrick Motorsports to push harder, making Elliott’s victory at Kansas all the more significant. Gordon also praised his drivers’ resilience, emphasizing their collaborative approach and determination to improve despite challenges.
