Manufacturer: Chevrolet
Engine: Hendrick Motorsports
Driver-Crew Chief Pairings: Kyle Larson-Cliff Daniels (No. 5), Chase Elliott-Alan Gustafson (No. 9), William Byron-Rudy Fugle (No. 24), Alex Bowman-Blake Harris (No. 48)

Team Outlook: Coming off a 2024 season that saw all four drivers win races and make the playoffs, Hendrick Motorsports enters 2025 with its championship-caliber lineup fully intact for a third straight year. After Chase Elliott’s victory in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the organization looks to build momentum under their new motto: “Thrive in ’25.”

“As a team, this is a culmination of an offseason,” said Jeff Andrews, Hendrick Motorsports president and general manager. “Mr. Hendrick started us off this past Wednesday at our season kickoff luncheon with ‘Thrive in ’25.’ That is our motto.”

KYLE LARSON, NO. 5 CHEVROLET

Experience: 10 full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: Sixth in final Cup Series standings; 6 wins, 15 top fives, 18 top 10s, 5 poles
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 11-2

Outlook: The most prolific winner in NASCAR over the past four seasons, Larson continues to showcase remarkable consistency, leading laps in 26 of 36 races last year. His partnership with crew chief Cliff Daniels has produced 23 of his 29 career victories since joining Hendrick Motorsports. The No. 5 team enters 2025 as championship favorites once again.

CHASE ELLIOTT, NO. 9 CHEVROLET

Experience: Nine full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: Seventh in final Cup Series standings; 1 win, 11 top fives, 19 top 10s, 0 poles
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 11-1

Outlook: After breaking a 42-race winless streak with his victory at Texas Motor Speedway in 2024, Elliott looks to return to his previous form that saw him win multiple races each season from 2018-2022. His 19 top-10s last year showed consistent speed, and the No. 9 team’s early victory in the 2025 Clash suggests they’re ready to contend regularly again.

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 CHEVROLET

Experience: Seven full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: Third in final Cup Series standings; 3 wins, 13 top fives, 21 top 10s, 1 pole
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 6-1

Outlook: The defending Daytona 500 champion enters 2025 coming off a Championship 4 appearance and career-best points finish. Byron showcased his versatility in 2024 with wins on a superspeedway, road course, and short track, while closing the year with seven straight top-six finishes. At just 27, Byron appears poised to challenge Team Penske’s recent dominance at Phoenix.

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 48 CHEVROLET

Experience: Nine full-time seasons in the NASCAR Cup Series
2024 Stats: Ninth in final Cup Series standings; 1 win, 8 top fives, 17 top 10s, 1 pole
2025 Championship Odds (DraftKings): 35-1

Outlook: Though Bowman ended an 80-race winless streak with his Chicago Street Race victory and posted his best average finish (14.8) since 2020, his 67 laps led marked a nine-year low. Despite being signed through 2026, early wins in 2025 would help silence questions about his future with the team.

BOLD PREDICTION: Hendrick Motorsports will place two drivers in the Championship 4, with Kyle Larson and William Byron battling for the title at Phoenix. Additionally, development driver Corey Day will make his Cup Series debut after impressing in NASCAR’s lower divisions.