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Charlotte, NC – Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick expressed a strong desire to secure driver Kyle Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels with lifetime contracts, a testament to the formidable partnership that has delivered two NASCAR Cup Series championships and 25 victories in just five seasons. Hendrick stated his wish for Larson and Daniels to "retire with me," underscoring his vision of them being integral to the fabric of Hendrick Motorsports for the foreseeable future.
The sentiment echoes a historical parallel within the storied organization. Hendrick drew a comparison to the legendary driver-crew chief duo of Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham, whose championship-winning tenure was so impactful that Gordon was offered a lifetime contract. This historical precedent highlights Hendrick’s long-standing philosophy of nurturing and retaining championship-caliber talent.
"Well, it was expensive," Hendrick commented with a chuckle when discussing the contract extensions. "But, no, I wanted these guys in place and I didn’t want to race against them, and they are part of the family and the fabric of Hendrick Automotive and Hendrick Motorsports." He further elaborated, drawing on his experience with Gordon, who now serves as Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. "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."
The recent contract extension, which reportedly locks Larson and Daniels into Hendrick Motorsports for the next five or six years, ensures continuity for a team that has achieved remarkable success. "So, for the next five or six years, we could put that in a drawer," Hendrick stated, emphasizing the team’s focus on continued championship pursuits. "We are going to race to win championships and win races." This strategic move aims to prevent a repeat of scenarios where exceptional talent might explore free agency or market shifts, potentially disrupting a thriving dynasty.
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While Hendrick’s desire for a perpetual partnership is clear, Larson himself expressed a more nuanced perspective on the concept of a "lifetime deal." "For me, I don’t need the contract to know that I will hopefully be there for the rest of my life," Larson stated. "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 acknowledged the possibility of a future lifetime agreement, adding, "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 reflects a deep sense of loyalty and contentment with his current situation within the Hendrick Motorsports organization.
A significant factor in the discussion of Larson’s long-term career trajectory is his stated intention to potentially return to full-time Sprint Car racing around the age of 40. This recent contract extension takes him through his age 39 season, aligning with that long-held aspiration. Furthermore, Larson has recently ventured into co-ownership of a racing series alongside his brother-in-law Brad Sweet and broadcaster FloSports, indicating a broader engagement with the motorsports landscape beyond the NASCAR Cup Series.
"I don’t get too wrapped up in the duration or all of that, I really just…its nice to know that I will be here for at least five years and hopefully more," Larson explained. "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 success of the Larson-Daniels partnership is not solely attributed to raw talent and aggressive driving. Cliff Daniels, in particular, has emerged as a significant figure, often compared to influential crew chiefs like Ray Evernham and Chad Knaus, yet with his own distinct approach. Daniels has fostered a culture of continuous improvement within his team, encouraging members to engage in self-improvement literature and emphasizing the importance of both mental and physical conditioning for championship performance.
"I want to say one thing about Cliff too," Hendrick remarked, highlighting Daniels’ innovative leadership. "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 praised Daniels’ unique skillset: "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 echoed Larson’s sentiments regarding his commitment to Hendrick Motorsports. "Very grateful for Mr. Hendrick, J.B. and everybody that helped put this together," Daniels stated. "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 expressed excitement about his role in shaping the future of the organization. "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 extended contracts for Larson and Daniels signify a strategic alignment aimed at sustaining Hendrick Motorsports’ dominance in the NASCAR Cup Series. With a proven track record of success and a shared vision for the future, the organization appears poised to continue its legacy of excellence, driven by one of the sport’s most potent driver-crew chief pairings. The focus now shifts to realizing the potential of this extended partnership, with the ultimate goal of adding more championships to their already impressive resume.
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