In the hallowed halls of Hendrick Motorsports, where racing legends are forged and champions are born, performance isn’t just a goal—it’s a sacred tradition. From the days of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to Jeff Gordon himself, this team has always set a bar so high that merely participating is never enough. Now, with Chase Elliott finding himself in the crosshairs of the team’s expectations, the echoes of past greatness are serving as both inspiration and a stark reminder.
Jeff Gordon, the team’s vice chairman and a four-time Cup Series champion, isn’t one to sugarcoat reality. His recent comments about Elliott’s performance cut straight to the heart of Hendrick’s relentless pursuit of excellence.
Elliott’s 2025 season tells a story of missed opportunities. In six races, he’s secured just one top-five finish and two top-10s. More alarmingly, he’s only led two laps—a startling contrast to teammates like William Byron (111 laps led) and Kyle Larson (92 laps). Even more telling, drivers like Zane Smith, Todd Gilliland, Carson Hocevar, and Ty Dillon all have more laps led this season. Corey LaJoie has two starts this season and even he has more laps led.
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Gordon’s take on this was a masterclass in measured criticism. He expressed dissatisfaction, “Obviously a little bit disappointed in the other guys getting some penalties.” He further continued, “Similar to the 48 [Bowman’s] team, I feel like they came into the season with a lot of momentum,” he explained. “I think the last couple of weeks probably were a little bit frustrating for them.” But he didn’t stop there. “You know, you’ve got to get through the rocky times,” Gordon continued, emphasizing the team’s depth and resilience.
The data paints a clear picture: Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, is experiencing a performance drought. After a promising comeback in 2024 that saw him win at Texas and secure seven top-10 finishes in playoff races, 2025 has been a different story. Two speeding penalties in the last five races further highlight the team’s current challenges.
The most pointed part of Gordon’s critique came when he highlighted the team’s internal standards: “It’s a high standard at Hendrick, what everybody brings, like the 5 team did today. A lot of times you’re really measuring yourself against the best out there, and a lot of times that’s right in your own stable.”
via Imago Syndication: Arizona Republic Four-time NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon speaks at the NASCAR Championship Ignition Luncheon, August 30, 2022, at the Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E Missouri Ave., Phoenix, Arizona. Nascar 10289574002 Phoenix AZ , EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxHenlex 18954286
His assessment is brutally honest. “If you’re not achieving what you want to achieve, then you know you’ve got to go to work, and you know that you’re not meeting expectations.” For Elliott, these words are both a challenge and a warning. With Alex Bowman standing tall and placed third in the points standings, the No. 9 team certainly needs to get to work.
Elliott’s Journey From Championship to Crossroads
To understand Elliott’s current struggle, one must look back at his remarkable journey. The 2020 Cup Series champion emerged from a winless 2023 season with a vengeance, securing a pivotal victory at Texas Motor Speedway in 2024. That season saw him become the model of consistency, with 19 top-10 finishes, 11 top-5 finishes and an average finish of 11.7 across the season.
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His comeback was nothing short of inspirational. After going 109 races with just one speeding penalty, Elliott seemed to have found his rhythm. The Cook Out Clash win at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2025 appeared to be another step in his resurgence, where he was leading 171 of 200 laps. However, the early part of the 2025 season has told a different story, with two speeding penalties in the last five races and a string of performances that fall short of his previous standards.
Currently sitting sixth in the standings, Elliott finds himself in a precarious position. His teammates – Byron, Larson, and Bowman – are consistently leading laps and contending for victories, while Elliott struggles to make a significant impact.
The upcoming Martinsville race represents more than just another competition—it’s a potential turning point. Short tracks have historically been Elliott’s strength, and with NASCAR testing new tire strategies, he has a perfect opportunity to script a comeback story.