Kyle Larson, the NASCAR Cup Series driver, has been on a wild ride, and the Homestead Miami event was no exception. Attempting to dethrone Kyle Busch and claim the triple header crown was undoubtedly a tough challenge. The Truck Series win gave him a promising start, but an unfortunate turn of events in the Xfinity race quickly dampened his spirits. Nevertheless, Larson knew he had to bounce back.
When the Cup Series race was on the horizon, Larson was determined to snatch victory. In a thrilling contest against his teammate, Larson emerged victorious in the nick of time. This win brought immense cheer to Rick Hendrick, the team owner. However, the celebration wasn’t just about Larson’s triumph.
As Kelly Crandall’s report outlined, Rick Hendrick’s delight didn’t end with the NASCAR Cup Series race. His joy doubled with the NHRA Pro Stock race, where his drivers Kyle Larson and Greg Anderson competed fiercely. Anderson, in a statement, shared his sense of responsibility, expressing how he couldn’t afford to lose after Larson’s win. Fortunately, he didn’t, giving Mr. Hendrick reason to rejoice.
The Homestead-Miami race wasn’t a cakewalk for Larson. Unlike his usual dominant performances, he led only 18 laps this time. With just six laps remaining, Alex Bowman, driving the pole-winning No. 48 Chevy, made a critical error. He brushed against the outside wall, providing Larson the opportunity he needed to surge ahead. Taking full advantage, Larson, piloting the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy, secured a 1.205-second win and his first Cup Series trophy of the year. This outcome was a massive blow for Bowman, but a golden moment for Larson.
Crew chief Cliff Daniels reflected on the team’s growth over the years, highlighting their work ethic and ability to execute under pressure. He humorously recalled the number of times Larson hit the fence during the race, indicating their ability to navigate through challenging situations.
Larson’s victory had a significant impact, helping Hendrick Motorsports secure a 1-2-3 sweep in the Cup Series rankings. It was Larson’s first win of the season and the 30th of his career. Concurrently, Greg Anderson was making waves at the NHRA Arizona Nationals, defending his title with an impeccable performance. Anderson, a six-time Pro Stock champion, added another feather to his cap, securing his 107th career win.
This wasn’t a first for Hendrick Motorsports. The team had previously experienced double victories in 2021 and 2024. Each time, the sweet taste of success was renewed. Larson and Anderson have been instrumental in bolstering Rick Hendrick’s billion-dollar empire since joining in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Despite a challenging start, Larson expressed his pride and joy in overcoming the obstacles. His victory could have been even more resounding if he had clinched the Xfinity Series as well. It was a close call, but he missed out narrowly.
Off the track, Hendrick Motorsports recently ended a contentious dispute with Hooters, their former sponsor. Court records from March 23, 2025, revealed a settlement amount of $900,000, which Hooters agreed to pay. This followed a lawsuit filed by Hendrick Motorsports in pursuit of $1.705 million, plus interest, after Hooters reneged on its commitment to sponsor Chase Elliott’s 2024 campaign. The settlement marks the end of an era, with the iconic orange logo no longer gracing the No. 9 Chevy.
Despite the financial gain from the lawsuit, Hendrick likely feels a sense of loss. Hooters had been a part of their history since 2017, even celebrating Elliott’s Texas win last year. Now, they’re paying less than half of what Hendrick initially sought. It seems this chapter of Hendrick Motorsports’ history is closing, but as Rick Hendrick once said about success, “you try to get your base right, and you can grow it.” This could be seen as another brick in their wall, only this time, without Hooters.