Rick Hendrick Open to Lifetime Deal with Kyle Larson, Cites "Family" Bond

In a clear testament to the exceptional partnership between driver Kyle Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick has expressed a strong desire to secure their services for the long haul, even going as far as to say he would have offered a lifetime contract had it been possible. This sentiment underscores the immense value Hendrick places on the duo, who have propelled the No. 5 Chevrolet to significant success since their pairing.

"Well, it was expensive," Hendrick remarked with a laugh when discussing the contract extension for Larson and Daniels, both of whom were in their final contract year. "But, no, I wanted these guys in place and I didn’t want to race against them. They are part of the family and the fabric of Hendrick Automotive and Hendrick Motorsports."

Hendrick drew a parallel to the legendary partnership of Jeff Gordon and crew chief Ray Evernham, recalling Gordon’s own lifetime contract. "I remember Jeff and I had a lifetime deal, and I know what he meant to our company, and I know what he still means to our company as Vice Chairman," Hendrick stated, highlighting the precedent for long-term commitments to key personnel.

Larson and Daniels have achieved a remarkable record in their five years together at Hendrick Motorsports, accumulating 25 wins and two NASCAR Cup Series championships. This successful tenure has cemented their status as one of the premier driver-crew chief combinations in modern NASCAR. Hendrick’s proactive approach aims to prevent a scenario where their championship-winning combination could be dismantled by free agency or external opportunities.

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"So, for the next five or six years, we could put that in a drawer," Hendrick said, referring to the newly signed extension. "We are going to race to win championships and win races." The extension, which runs through Larson’s age 39 season, effectively locks down the reigning champion for the foreseeable future, aligning with Hendrick’s vision for sustained success.

While Hendrick’s desire for a lifetime commitment is clear, Larson himself expressed a sentiment that transcends contractual obligations. "For me, I don’t need the contract to know that I will hopefully be there for the rest of my life," Larson explained. "I don’t ever foresee a reason for me to want to entertain being a part of another group. I know what I have at Hendrick Motorsports and I know what I have with a great leader with Rick, J.B. (Brown), Cliff and everybody else – the Jeffs, Chad, you could go on and on."

Larson’s confidence in his current situation at Hendrick Motorsports is palpable, and he suggested that a lifetime contract might be a future possibility. "So, maybe a lifetime contract will be the next one. But I am not too worried about it. I am pretty confident in where I am at and don’t have any plans to think about going anywhere else." This sentiment suggests that the driver’s commitment is rooted in the team’s culture, leadership, and the opportunities for continued success.

Larson’s future racing plans, which have included a desire to race Sprint Cars full-time around the age of 40, are also a consideration. The current five-year extension takes him through his 39th birthday, leaving the door open for potential adjustments as he approaches that milestone. His recent involvement as a co-owner of a Sprint Car series alongside brother-in-law Brad Sweet and FloSports further indicates his broader engagement with motorsports beyond the NASCAR Cup Series.

"I don’t get too wrapped up in the duration or all of that, I really just… it’s nice to know that I will be here for at least five years and hopefully more," Larson commented on the extension. "And that is kind of it. I just get to work on trying to win more races and win more championships in the time that I am there. So, yeah, grateful and I feel like it’s a very long-term contract compared to what you see these days. So, I am very happy with all of that and yeah, I think that gets me close to 40 and then we will see after that."

The role of Cliff Daniels as crew chief is equally significant in this equation. Daniels has been instrumental in orchestrating the team’s success, bringing an intellectual and analytical approach to the pit box. His emphasis on personal development within the team, encouraging crew members to read self-improvement books, highlights his philosophy that success is built on both physical and mental preparedness.

"I want to say one thing about Cliff too," Hendrick added, praising Daniels’ leadership qualities. "He had his guys reading books and we have Hendrick University. And we have management by strengths and how we evaluate how you work with each other. He took his whole organization, and I think most everybody in motorsports has gone that way now." Hendrick further emphasized Daniels’ unique talent: "But the integration of the two and the leadership that Cliff has shown in standing up in front of 100 dealers, and actually teaching, is impressive. I have never seen a crew chief with that talent, drive and enthusiasm."

Daniels himself echoed Larson’s sentiments about his long-term commitment. "Very grateful for Mr. Hendrick, J.B. and everybody that helped put this together," Daniels said. "And then we have Jeff Gordon, Jeff Andrews, Chad, and a whole leadership staff at Hendrick Motorsports. We are trying to be excellent on the racetrack now, but we are also looking into the future of people, talent, and resources of what its going to take."

He continued, expressing his enthusiasm for the team’s future-oriented approach: "It’s really exciting to be a part of and to have a small piece of being able to build that in ways that they have included me in the conversation and looking ahead to the future for all the reasons that I just mentioned. Its inspiring and I am certainly happy to be a part of it and hope to be a big part of it for a long time."

The contract extension for Larson and Daniels signifies a period of stability and ambition for Hendrick Motorsports. With a proven championship combination locked in, the team is poised to continue its pursuit of victories and championships in the highly competitive NASCAR Cup Series. The commitment from both the driver, crew chief, and team owner reflects a shared vision for success and a strong belief in their collective ability to achieve it.