Few organizations enter the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season with as much stability — and upside — as Hendrick Motorsports. With all four driver and crew chief pairings unchanged since 2023, Rick Hendrick’s Chevrolet powerhouse remains the benchmark for consistency as the sport shifts to a reintroduced Chase championship format. Add in a new Camaro body and the unveiling of the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center, and Hendrick appears positioned to extract even more performance across its four-car lineup.

Kyle Larson leads the charge as the defending Cup Series champion, fresh off his second career title. While his 2025 numbers didn’t quite match some of his past statistical peaks, Larson still delivered a championship-caliber season highlighted by elite speed, race control, and over 1,100 laps led. Paired with Cliff Daniels — one of the most respected crew chiefs in the garage — Larson remains a favorite to contend week after week, especially in a postseason format that rewards sustained excellence over late-race chaos.

Chase Elliott continues to be the organization’s model of consistency. Two wins in 2025 pushed him back into multi-win territory, but it was his series-best average finish that truly defined his season. Elliott’s ability to deliver strong results across every track type aligns perfectly with a points-based championship format, making the No. 9 team a serious title threat once again.

William Byron may have been Hendrick’s most complete driver a season ago. Leading the organization in laps led and poles, Byron earned his way to the championship finale and continues to raise the bar alongside crew chief Rudy Fugle. With multiple wins in four consecutive seasons and a chance to make history at Daytona to open the year, Byron enters 2026 with both momentum and expectation firmly on his side.

Alex Bowman rounds out one of the deepest lineups in the Cup Series. While winless in 2025, Bowman’s steady accumulation of top-10 finishes kept the No. 48 team in the playoff picture. Internal changes to the road crew provide a reset heading into 2026, and snapping a lengthy winless streak will be the primary goal as Bowman looks to reestablish himself as a regular contender.

With championship pedigree, organizational continuity, and a format that plays directly into its strengths, Hendrick Motorsports once again enters the season as the team to beat. If execution matches potential, the bowtie brigade could very well control the title conversation from start to finish.