Published 01/30/2023, 7:15 AM EST
Hendrick Motorsports are definitely one of the most powerful teams on the NASCAR circuit. Keeping history aside, they have some really great drivers in Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott. And with 2023 being the year Bubba Wallace would like to make a dent in the Cup Series, HMS will be his biggest rival to look out for.
However, Wallace’s spotter, Brett Griffin, believes the task might only get more difficult for his 23XI Racing mate.
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On the Door Bumper Clear podcast, Griffin said: “I think Blake Harris is one of the “next guys”, you know what I mean? You saw what he did with that #34 car last year. We saw Rodney come in a couple of years ago, we’ve seen Cliff come in at the #5.”
“You see the guys come through the ranks a little bit and then they jump in at the right opportunity, and kinda take off. I think that’s the next guy, potentially, that could be putting that right position now. He’s got everything he needs. He’s at the top team in the sport, potentially.”
Griffin spoke very highly about Harris who is currently the crew chief for Alex Bowman. While Bowman might not have finished the season in a great position, it was by no fault of Harris’. For Griffin, that poses a strong threat to any prospects for the 23XI team—especially Wallace.
Hendrick Motorsports are wary of Bubba Wallace
3 drivers out of 4 finishing in the top ten at the end of the season sounds like a good result, doesn’t it? Not for Hendrick Motorsports. For a team with its resources and talents, it wasn’t a satisfactory end to the season.
FORT WORTH, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Bubba Wallace 45 23XI Racing MoneyLion Toyota smiles during Saturday morning practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series Playoff Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 race on September 24, 2022 at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 24 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 Icon9532209240516
The team expressed its disappointment in numerous interviews during the pre-season. Top executives at HMS reiterated the goals for 2023—and all, in one way or the other, stressed better outcomes for all four cars.
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While HMS might not have named any single driver, the pressure inevitable would be highest on Bowman. The driver finished in 16th position at the end of the season—the lowest of the four HMS drivers.
Griffin noted that too, as he said “But on top of the crew chief change, it’s time for Alex to step up. I think he knows that. The writing’s on the wall. These guys are going and performing, and I’m not performing as well over here. So that’s one big thing.”
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A lot can change over the course of a season—sometimes, even half a season. Bowman will need to improve if he wants to continue with HMS.