Published 12/30/2022, 7:12 AM EST
Hendrick Motorsports had a great year in NASCAR Cup Series. The fan-favorite team spent the entire 2022 season dominating the grid up until the very end. So, as the year comes to an end, we take a look at the best moments of the year for the Cup Series’ most successful team.
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Once again, Hendrick Motorsports proved its sheer dominance over all other owners.
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The team dominated the entire season, even taking the #9 car to the final 4 after dominating all year. They deserve the recognition and the love they get from the fans.
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Hendrick Motorsports dominated the entire regular season as they chartered their first Xfinity Series car in 13 years
On July 2, 2022, Hendrick Motorsports fielded its first Xfinity series car since 2009. Steered by Kyle Larson, the #17 Chevy Camaro drove around Road America ahead of the Cup Series race. Later, it also went to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course with Alex Bowman, Watkins Glen International with William Byron, and Darlington Raceway, once again with Larson. Of course, the primary reason was to give the drivers more time on the road.
Unfortunately, though, Greg Ives stepped down as crew chief at the end of the season. After a wonderful 8-year run with the #88 car (and later the #48 with Bowman), Ives announced his retirement to focus on his family. He has certainly earned it.
Elliott won the regular-season title, proving the incredible pace of the #9 car and himself as a driver. It was his first-ever regular-season win, making it quite special for him. He later became the only Hendrick driver to reach the round of 4. Although he didn’t win the Championship, he was surely a winner at the end, having won more Cup Series races than any other driver in 2022.
LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 15: Chase Elliott (#9 Hendrick Motorsports Hooters Chevrolet) answers questions from the media during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff South Point 400 on October 15, 2022, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Jeff Speer/LVMS/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Of course, we can’t forget the HMS dominance once again in 2022, as all 4 drivers made it to the round of 12 in the playoffs. Most of the teams were still competing up until the round of 10 too, even though Elliott was the only one who made it to the final round of 4.
Kyle Larson starts the season big, as William Byron sets a new standard
Kyle Larson earns DAYTONA 500 pole as he entered the 2022 season as the reigning cup series champion. Everyone had high expectations from the #5 car and he clearly delivered! Unfortunately, he didn’t win, but he was victorious the following week at the Auto Club Speedway.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 18: Kyle Larson, driver of the #42 Advent Health Chevrolet, celebrates winning the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
The Next-Gen cars brought a lot of curiosity and William Byron triumphed at Martinsville Speedway, making him the first driver to win multiple races in the Next-Gen era. Later, every Hendrick driver besides Alex Bowman won multiple races that season.
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Chase Elliott really struck out as the star of the 2022 season as Elliott had a five-race run of 1-2 finishes, Starting with his win at Nashville Superspeedway, he had a personal-best run of five straight top-two finishes.
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Clearly, HMS had quite the season in 2022. So, what was your favorite Hendrick Motorsports moment in 2022? Let us know in the comments.