DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Kyle Larson, who raced the Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet to the second NASCAR Cup Series championship of his career last season, has signed a five-year extension with the team, putting the 33-year-old driver under contract through 2031.
Hendrick also announced Wednesday a five-year extension with primary sponsor HendrickCars.com and a multiyear deal with Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels. The news comes just four days before the season-opening Daytona 500, the storied “Great American Race” in which Larson’s best finish is seventh twice (2016, 2019).
Since being paired in the No. 5 Chevy in 2021, Daniels and Larson have won two Cup Series championships — the first came in their first season together — and led the top national circuit in nearly every major statistical category. HendrickCars.com serves as the No. 5 Chevy’s main sponsor for 35 of 38 Cup Series events.
Larson moved to Hendrick after he was fired at Chip Ganassi Racing and suspended by NASCAR during the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown for using a racial slur during an online racing event.
Larson has 32 career wins in the Cup Series, including 26 since joining Rick Hendrick’s organization. He leads all drivers over that span in victories, runner-up finishes (18), top-five finishes (78), top-10 finishes (103) and laps led (7,149).
“This team, this organization and this family have given me everything I need to compete at the highest level,” Larson said in a news release. “We’ve accomplished a lot together, but I truly believe the best is still ahead. … I’m excited to keep chasing wins and championships with Cliff and the 5 team for many more years.”
Jeffrey “JB” Brown, president of Hendrick Automotive Group, said keeping the championship team together for years to come was “a no-brainer.”
Hendrick, the team owner, added that building a successful team “starts with people.”
“Kyle is one of the most complete drivers in our sport,” he said. “His talent, work ethic and instincts give us a chance to win every time we race. Cliff is a true servant leader who brings out the best in everyone around him and sets the standard for how we go to the track. Having HendrickCars.com alongside this group continues to create real, measurable value for our automotive business.
“Together, it’s a combination that will keep winning races and competing for championships for a long time.”