Larson signs three-year extension with Hendrick
NASCAR champion Kyle Larson signed a three-year contract extension through 2026 with Hendrick Motorsports, the team that welcomed him back last season after a nearly one-year suspension.
The extension announced Friday includes sponsor HendrickCars.com, which will sponsor the No. 5 Chevrolet for 35 races a season. Larson’s extension and the sponsorship renewal are concurrent. The original deal for HendrickCars.com to become Larson’s primary sponsor was announced last July when Rick Hendrick’s online automobile site pulled massive traffic spikes whenever it was featured on Larson’s car.
Larson, 30 was suspended for most of 2020 for using a racial slur and lost his job with Chip Ganassi Racing. Hendrick took him when the suspension was lifted, and Larson won 10 races last season and his first Cup title.
“When Kyle joined our team, the expectations were sky high from both inside and outside the organization. To say he’s exceeded them would be an understatement,” Rick Hendrick said. “Not only has Kyle proven himself as a champion driver, he’s performed at a championship level outside of the race car. We’re proud to continue our relationship and to see him represent our team and our brands in such positive ways. The years to come are very bright.”
HendrickCars.com also will continue to support Larson in his non-NASCAR racing.
“I can’t explain how much this opportunity means,” Larson said. “The chance to compete for the top team and best sponsors in racing is something every driver dreams about.
I’m humbled to have incredible people in my corner and amazing support from so many fans.”
Hendrick Automotive Group said it has measured a three-to-one return on its marketing investment in NASCAR through HendrickCars.com. The website’s highest-traffic days of 2022 have been associated with NASCAR-related initiatives, and the company also has utilized Larson as a spokesperson for its corporate social responsibility programs.
Larson headed into Saturday night’s elimination playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway ranked eighth in the standings. The bottom four drivers in the 16driver field were to be eliminated Saturday night.
XFINITY SERIES
Noah Gragson held off Brandon Jones over the closing laps Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee to win his third consecutive Xfinity Series race.
Gragson won his serieshigh sixth race of the season driving a Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. He was aided when teammate Justin Allgaier was flagged for speeding during the final pit stops under caution; Gragson did not pit and restarted the race in the lead.
Gragson and his JRM crew climbed the Bristol fence in celebration, then a breathless Gragson sat on the wall to collect himself.
“Man, three in a row. I appreciate Brandon Jones racing us clean,” Gragson said, noting he won at Bristol in 2020 during the pandemic in front of a limited crowd. “What a great opportunity to race here in front of fans. I had a blast.”
The Xfinity Series playoffs begin next week at Texas Motor Speedway and Gragson is the top seed.