Kyle Larson And Chase Elliott: Are Hendrick Motorsports' Stars Losing Their Edge?

The 2025 NASCAR season has kicked off with intense competition, but two of Hendrick Motorsports’ biggest stars, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, have yet to live up to expectations. Instead of dominating the track, they have been outshined by teammate William Byron, raising concerns about whether they are losing their edge.

At Phoenix Raceway, Kyle Larson finished third, while Chase Elliott only managed to secure tenth place. While these results are respectable, they are far from the high standards that fans and Hendrick Motorsports expect from two former champions. NASCAR analyst Jordan Bianchi has questioned their performances and whether they can return to championship form.

If I am Hendrick Motorsports, I want more, Bianchi stated in a recent episode of The Teardown podcast. The only driver who looked like he had a chance to run with the number 20 was the number 24. The number 9 was nowhere to be seen for most of the race. He fought back and finished tenth, which is fine, but that is not enough.

Warning Signs: Have Larson and Elliott Lost Their Dominance?

Neither Kyle Larson nor Chase Elliott has performed terribly, but they have not been at their best. Elliott has not shown the pace or aggression that once made him a dominant force in NASCAR, and even though Larson finished third, he openly admitted that his car was not competitive enough.

Kyle Larson himself acknowledged this after the race, stating: We finished third today, but honestly, we did not have a great car.

Hendrick Motorsports is known for being one of the most powerful teams in NASCAR, but right now, only William Byron seems to be delivering top-tier performances. Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson need to step up, or they risk falling further behind in the championship battle.

Upcoming Races Provide a Chance for Redemption

Despite their slow start, the season is far from over. NASCAR is a long and unpredictable sport, and the upcoming races could offer a golden opportunity for Larson and Elliott to turn things around.

Some key races that could work in their favor include:

Las Vegas Motor Speedway – A track where Kyle Larson has historically excelled and could regain his form.
Homestead-Miami Speedway – A place where Larson dominated last fall, proving he can be a top contender.
Martinsville Speedway – A challenging short track where Chase Elliott has had strong performances in the past.

Jordan Bianchi believes these races will be a turning point, stating: I am really curious to see what they bring to Las Vegas and Homestead. So far, we have not seen a truly dominant performance from the number 5 team. As for Chase Elliott, he still has a lot to prove.

Chase Elliott Under Immense Pressure

Of the two drivers, Chase Elliott appears to be under the most pressure. Once seen as the future of NASCAR, his results over the past year have been underwhelming. In the 2024 season, he only won one race, and so far in 2025, he has not been able to break through.

The problem is not that Elliott is performing poorly, but rather that he is not competing at the level expected of him. He has consistently finished in decent positions, but he is not dominating races or contending for wins.

Jordan Bianchi expressed concern about Elliott’s lack of elite performances, stating: When was the last time we looked at the number 9 team and said, ‘They are the best team in NASCAR?’ It has been a while. They are not dominant. They are not setting the standard anymore. That is a major issue.

Kyle Larson: Still a Contender but Not at His Best

Kyle Larson remains one of the most talented drivers in NASCAR, but he has yet to show his usual dominance in 2025. Even though he finished third at Phoenix Raceway, he never truly looked like a threat to win.

Hendrick Motorsports expects more from Larson, and he expects more from himself. He is not used to being in a position where he is simply collecting top-five finishes without competing for victories. His competitive nature means that he will not be satisfied unless he is winning races and leading the championship standings.

Larson’s next big opportunity to reassert himself will come in Las Vegas and Homestead. These are tracks where he has performed well in the past, but he will need to show the level of dominance that has been missing so far this season.

Hendrick Motorsports Needs More from Its Stars

While Hendrick Motorsports is still performing well overall, the team is not firing on all cylinders. The fact that all four of its cars finished in the top ten at Phoenix is a sign of strength, but at the same time, they were not truly competing for the win.

William Byron has taken a step forward, but Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott need to do the same. If they do not raise their level soon, they risk being left behind as the season progresses.

Jordan Bianchi summed up the situation perfectly: It is a first-world problem when you are finishing in the top ten and people still think you are underperforming. But that is the standard for Hendrick Motorsports. That is the level they need to live up to.

Time Is Running Out: Elliott and Larson Must Deliver

In the world of NASCAR, there is no room for complacency. Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott cannot afford to coast through the season and hope for things to turn around. They need to step up, and they need to do it soon.

The next few races will be critical. Las Vegas, Homestead, and Martinsville provide them with a chance to prove they are still among the best drivers in the sport. If they fail to deliver strong performances, the concerns about their decline will only grow louder.

Will Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott respond to the pressure and reclaim their status as top contenders, or are they beginning to lose their grip on the NASCAR elite? The answer will unfold in the coming weeks, and the entire NASCAR world will be watching closely.