BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 21: Rick Hendrick looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 21, 2024, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 21 NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240921905
BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 21: Rick Hendrick looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race on September 21, 2024, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 21 NASCAR Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240921905
The 2026 season hasn’t been a memorable one for Chevrolet, and even more so for Hendrick Motorsports, which is seeing this as a drastic fall after its triumph in 2025. The team has now gone three consecutive Cup Series races without recording a single top-10 finish.
In the last three races, William Byron’s P12 finish at North Wilkesboro has stood out as the team’s best performance, something that was also highlighted by NASCAR journalist Taylor Kitchen in a tweet on X.
The run comes at an unusual time for Hendrick Motorsports, which entered the 2026 season as one of the championship favorites. Kyle Larson and William Byron have regularly been among the series' fastest drivers in recent years, but have been marred by inconsistent performances this season.
Meanwhile, Chase Elliott has consistently remained a Chase contender, and Alex Bowman is in the final years of his driving career with the organization, facing medical complications this year.
The recent results have also been reflected in the championship standings. Among Chevrolet drivers, it is Spire Motorsports' Carson Hocevar who currently ranks the highest, occupying fifth place in the standings. This puts him ahead of every Hendrick driver; not something fans would have expected going into this season.
TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Chili s Ride the Dente Chevrolet celebrates in Victory Lane following the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack Links 500 on April 26, 2026, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, AL. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack Links 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604264102
TALLADEGA, AL - APRIL 26: Carson Hocevar 77 Spire Motorsports Chili s Ride the Dente Chevrolet celebrates in Victory Lane following the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Jack Links 500 on April 26, 2026, at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, AL. Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire AUTO: APR 26 NASCAR Cup Series Jack Links 500 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2604264102
The same trend can also be seen in the owners' standings, where Spire Motorsports currently sits ahead of Hendrick Motorsports.
Despite the slump, Hendrick Motorsports remains one of the most successful teams in NASCAR history. The organization has won more than 320 Cup Series races and holds a record 15 Cup Series championships, with legends such as Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson being two of the most notable examples.
However, with just five races remaining, the team knows it is a race against time to get their act together, and that is what’s leaving fans concerned.
A mix of bad luck and fair competition is what fans feel
Seeing Hendrick Motorsports’ recent slump, fans have voiced their opinions on X, under Taylor Kitchen's aforementioned tweet. While some feel this is just how things naturally progress in any form of racing, a few others have called it bad luck.
As such, one user on X said, “Can't stay on top of the mountain forever. It's crazy when you see the names in the top 10 lately. Not what most would've thought prior to the season (except Hamlin).
Another user added, “Time for the old guard to go. HMS was once a small mid-pack team...And became world beaters. Now it's time for the new era to rise. Spire 23XI RFK all the way.”
One user made an observation on HMS’ current position, which wasn’t exactly accurate, as they said, “They are now behind Spire and Front Row. Let that sink in.”
Pointing to luck as an aspect, another user commented, “This team as a whole has had nothing but bad luck this summer.”
Another user was just there for the popcorn and said, “As a long time nascar fan YOU ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEE IT.”
Read more at Daytona Racing Digest
Written by
Aaradhya Singh
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason