Hendrick Motorsports faces fan criticism for favoring Kyle Larson over William Byron as the team’s move sparks fresh controversy heading into the 2025 season.

The article titled “Hendrick Motorsports Faces Heat as Cup Series Imbalance Fuels Fan Outrage,” published on June 12, 2025, by EssentiallySports, discusses growing fan concerns over perceived favoritism within Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series despite claims of equal equipment and opportunity among drivers.

Overview of the Situation at Hendrick Motorsports

Hendrick Motorsports has had a strong 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season so far, with impressive statistics including four wins, 19 top-5 finishes, five poles, 13 stage wins, and a Daytona 500 trophy. Kyle Larson has been particularly outstanding, securing three wins including his 30th career victory at Homestead and consistently running at the front. William Byron has also made headlines, notably by winning back-to-back Daytona 500 races—a rare achievement only four drivers have accomplished.

Despite both drivers having strong seasons, fans are noticing a widening performance gap between Larson and Byron. Larson appears more consistent, aggressive, and generally faster, while Byron, though solid, has not matched Larson’s level of performance. This disparity has led fans to question whether Larson is receiving preferential treatment in terms of strategy calls, pit crew support, or even car parts, while Byron may be sidelined.

Hendrick Motorsports’ Response

Hendrick Motorsports insists that all four of its cars—driven by Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman—are built with the same methods, parts, and technicians, with no favoritism involved. Bozi Tatarevic, a pit crew member, emphasized that the cars are assembled identically and share equipment equally.

However, the consistent difference in results, with Larson frequently finishing at the top and Byron struggling to break into the top ten, fuels fan skepticism. This has led to a vocal segment of the NASCAR fanbase speculating about a “golden boy” dynamic within the team favoring Larson.

Fan Reactions and Theories

NASCAR fans are openly questioning the claim of “equal cars,” expressing disbelief that all drivers truly have the same equipment and support. One fan highlighted statistical differences since 2022:

Kyle Larson: 16 wins, 52 top 5s, 66 top 10s, 12 poles, 4,313 laps led
William Byron: 12 wins, 40 top 5s, 62 top 10s, 8 poles, 2,882 laps led

This comparison suggests Larson has been performing at a higher level. Another fan summarized the situation as a difference between “best team, great driver” (Larson) and “great team, best driver” (Byron).

A popular theory involves crew chief Cliff Daniels’ strategic approach. Some fans speculate Daniels might be using the summer stretch to experiment with Byron’s car, similar to how Chad Knaus famously used less critical races to prepare setups for playoffs with Jimmie Johnson. This could explain Byron’s relatively lower immediate results but potential long-term gains.

Broader Team Dynamics and Historical Context

Fans also note that the focus within Hendrick Motorsports has historically been uneven. The No. 5 and No. 25 cars (now Byron’s and previously others) have often been considered “afterthoughts” compared to the No. 24 and No. 48 cars, which were driven by legends Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson and dominated the team’s success for years.

Chase Elliott has publicly admitted to struggling with his car’s handling, particularly on restarts, which fans interpret as further evidence of unequal performance among Hendrick’s four cars.

Conclusion

The article concludes that fan outrage is growing louder, with many believing that Hendrick Motorsports may indeed have a favored driver in Kyle Larson, despite the team’s official stance on equality. The history of the team and current performance disparities support the notion that the “equal equipment” claim may not fully hold up under scrutiny in the eyes of the public.