CONCORD, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports now has the NASCAR Cup Series record for the most wins in the sport, breaking Petty Enterprises' long held accolade on May 30 after Kyle Larson took the checkered flag at the Charlotte 600. However, the four teams aren't done yet, which was evident after Larson won again the following week at Sonoma Raceway.
The sky is the limit for Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman. All four drivers are under 30, have a win for the 2021 season and are currently in the playoff picture. To commemorate the impressive accomplishment, the four drivers will sport a special decal on their Chevrolets for the rest of the season.
“It’s a great honor to have," Elliott said of breaking the record. "Every team wants that record, right, so what else could you ask for? It’s huge and I think for the men and women who have worked here, who work here now or have worked here in the past."
Larson, who is in his first season with Hendrick Motorsports, said striving for the best is the way team owner Rick Hendrick is with all his drivers. That attutide and putting his people first has concocted Hendrick's recipe for success.
"I think he’s just an amazing person and an amazing leader," Larson said. "Everybody enjoys working for him. He makes you feel happy to come work for him, and that’s awesome. He’s got thousands of employees and no one can say anything negative about him. That shows who he is as a person and that kind of energy makes us all want to be like him and represent ourselves well.”
Byron was just 19 when he jumped behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro for the first time for Hendrick Motorsports. Much like Larson, he leaned on Hendrick's leadership as he became acclimated on the track.
"When I first got here, I definitely felt nervous and wanted to make sure I lived up to the expectations that everyone has," Byron said. "I think for me as I have grown into my own here, I feel really comfortable. I have won a couple of races and been able to contribute to the win total, which is awesome.
"I feel like we have all been working really well together to be able to that win total that we all want to strive for. It’s been a great couple of years and (I’m) thrilled to keep it going.”
Bowman has earned four total wins for Hendrick Motorsports, including two this season. In his first year as the driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet, Bowman's Dover win set off a run of four victories in a row for the organization which included tying and breaking the record.
"I think it's really special for Mr. H," Bowman said. "He's been talking about it all year, so to achieve that and have the most wins is really special for him and means a lot to him. If you look at everyone who's been here and the success they've had, it makes you want to win even more."