Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott Face Pressure to Step Up as William Byron Leads Hendrick Motorsports

The 2025 NASCAR season is in full swing, and while Hendrick Motorsports remains a powerhouse, not all of its top drivers are firing on all cylinders. William Byron has emerged as the team’s standout performer, delivering dominant results and solidifying his status as a championship contender. However, his teammates—Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott—have yet to reach their full potential, leaving fans and analysts wondering when they’ll hit their stride.

Despite securing decent finishes, Larson and Elliott have not displayed the same race-winning dominance that NASCAR enthusiasts have come to expect. As the season progresses, the pressure is mounting for the two former champions to reclaim their elite status. With crucial races at Las Vegas, Homestead, and Martinsville on the horizon, the next few weeks could define their 2025 campaigns. Can Larson and Elliott rise to the occasion, or will Byron continue to outshine them as the new faces of Hendrick Motorsports?

Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott Look to Improve as William Byron Sets the Standard for Hendrick Motorsports

The 2025 NASCAR season is off to an intriguing start, with Hendrick Motorsports once again proving its dominance. However, while William Byron has been a standout performer, two of the team’s biggest stars—Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott—have yet to showcase the level of dominance fans and analysts have come to expect.

Although both Larson and Elliott have secured respectable finishes in the early part of the season, the expectation at Hendrick Motorsports is always championship contention. NASCAR insider Jordan Bianchi has singled out the duo, emphasizing that their performances need to improve in the coming weeks.

With key races at Las Vegas, Homestead, and Martinsville on the horizon, the upcoming stretch could be crucial for Larson and Elliott to reestablish themselves as frontrunners.

William Byron’s Early Season Dominance

At just 27 years old, William Byron is proving that he’s not just a contender—he’s a potential championship favorite. His back-to-back victories at the Daytona 500 have put him in elite company, making him the youngest driver since Jeff Gordon to achieve such a feat.

Byron’s Daytona 500 win wasn’t just a lucky break—it was a masterclass in positioning and execution. He successfully navigated a chaotic overtime finish, capitalizing on an on-track incident that cleared the way for his victory. With that win, Byron also secured Hendrick Motorsports’ 10th Daytona 500 victory, solidifying the organization as the winningest team in the event’s history.

One of the key factors in Byron’s success is his long-standing partnership with crew chief Rudy Fugle. Their working relationship dates back to the 2016 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and their chemistry has played a pivotal role in Byron’s growth as a driver. With Fugle calling the shots, Byron has developed into one of the most consistent and aggressive competitors in the Cup Series.

Kyle Larson: A Solid Start, But More Is Expected

Kyle Larson’s early-season performances have been strong, but they haven’t had the spark of dominance that fans have come to expect from the 2021 Cup Series champion.

At the most recent race in Phoenix, Larson finished in third place—a solid result, but not one that left him satisfied. After the race, he admitted, “We finished third today, but we didn’t have a great car.” That statement reflects a broader trend for Larson this season. While he’s been competitive, he hasn’t been in the same dominant form that saw him win 10 races and the championship in 2021.

One of Larson’s biggest strengths has always been his versatility, particularly on road courses. That’s why the upcoming EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) could be a turning point for him. With COTA’s new 2.3-mile, 20-turn “National” layout, the track should play into the hands of skilled road-course racers like Larson. If he can secure a victory there, it could be the confidence boost he needs to kick his season into high gear.

Chase Elliott: Struggling to Find His Championship Form

Chase Elliott has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but his overall performance has been inconsistent. His most notable moment so far came at the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, where he put on a clinic by leading 171 laps and taking home the victory. However, translating that momentum into the regular season has proven to be a challenge.

At Phoenix, Elliott finished 10th—respectable, but not the kind of result that championship-caliber teams aim for. Bianchi was candid in his assessment of Elliott’s race, stating, “For most of the day, the No. 9 was meh. He was out to lunch. Then he rallied back and finished P10. Which is fine. Like, when you’ve got a bad day and you finish tenth, that’s a good thing.”

The problem, however, is that Elliott hasn’t been in the mix for race wins. Even last season, despite maintaining a strong average finish, he only won one race. That’s a significant drop-off for a driver who, just a few years ago, was seen as one of the most dominant competitors in the Cup Series.

Bianchi added, “When’s the last time we looked at the No. 9 team and said, ‘Man, they’re kicking everyone’s ass week-in and week-out. They’re the championship favorite?’ We haven’t talked about them in a while like that.”

For Elliott, the expectation is clear: he needs to get back to winning races.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Legacy and the Push for Perfection

Hendrick Motorsports has always operated under a championship-or-bust mentality. With a record-breaking 14 Cup Series championships to their name, anything less than title contention is considered a disappointment. That’s why the performances of Larson and Elliott, while far from disastrous, have sparked conversations about what’s missing.

The silver lining is that even on an “off day,” Hendrick’s depth is on full display. At Phoenix, all four of the team’s drivers—including Alex Bowman—finished in the top 10. In many ways, this speaks to the incredibly high standards the organization has set.

Still, team owner Rick Hendrick and his leadership staff won’t be content with just having strong finishes. The goal is race wins and, ultimately, another championship trophy.

The Road Ahead: A Crucial Stretch for Larson and Elliott

The upcoming stretch of races could be the turning point for both Larson and Elliott. Las Vegas, Homestead, and Martinsville are three vastly different tracks, each presenting unique challenges. However, both drivers have had past success at these venues, which could work in their favor.

Bianchi noted, “I’m really curious to see what they have for Las Vegas and Homestead. We really haven’t seen much out of the No. 5 team this year. That’s not disrespectful or anything. They’re doing well. I mean, they finished third again today. But we really haven’t seen a dominant, assertive performance from the No. 5 team this year.”

For Elliott, the question is whether he can finally take the step from being a “solid” driver to a true championship contender again. He has the talent, the equipment, and the experience. Now, it’s about execution.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Two of NASCAR’s Biggest Stars

As two of the most popular drivers in NASCAR, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott are under constant scrutiny. While their performances so far in 2025 have been good, they haven’t lived up to the expectations that come with being championship-caliber drivers at Hendrick Motorsports.

William Byron’s early dominance has only magnified the pressure on them. If he continues to win races while Larson and Elliott struggle to break into Victory Lane, the narrative will shift even further in Byron’s favor.

However, both Larson and Elliott have ample time to turn things around. The next few races will be crucial in determining whether they can reestablish themselves as top-tier threats.

For now, the focus remains on improvement. Hendrick Motorsports expects results, and if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott over the years, it’s that they have the ability to rise to the occasion. Whether they can do so in the coming weeks remains to be seen—but the time for excuses is over.

As the NASCAR season heats up, all eyes will be on the No. 5 and No. 9 teams. Will they step up to the challenge, or will William Byron continue to outshine them? The answers will come soon enough.