Hendrick Motorsports finds itself at a critical crossroads with Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team as it heads into the 2025 season. Elliott, a 2020 Cup Series champion, has spent the early part of the season chasing consistency rather than victories. Although he currently sits fourth in the standings, the lack of wins and hesitation in performance compared to his teammates has raised concern. To match the dominant pace of William Byron and Kyle Larson—both of whom have already secured multiple victories in 2025—the No. 9 team must re-evaluate its car setup and strategic approach.
A focal point of concern lies in the car’s handling, especially the front-end responsiveness. As noted in a recent Reddit thread on r/NASCAR, Elliott, much like Jeff Gordon in his prime, places heavy emphasis on the car’s steering precision. One user summarized the issue clearly
This suggests that Hendrick’s technical team needs to re-tune the nose and edge characteristics of the No. 9, especially for better handling and aggressive cornering. Previously, Elliott thrived at tracks like Martinsville and road courses by using a high-entry approach and a gradual descent to the apron, though this was occasionally hampered by the rear end stepping out when the load shifted .
Moving forward, Hendrick Motorsports must adopt a dual-focused strategy. First, reassessing the setup philosophy to enhance the front-end bite and improve cornering precision will be vital for regaining competitive edge. Second, integrating Elliott’s feedback—particularly around how the car enters and exits turns—into the broader engineering framework will be essential to restore his peak performance.
while Chase Elliott’s No. 9 squad has demonstrated promise, replicating the winning formula seen with Byron and Larson hinges on resolving steering precision at the front end and embracing a more tailored setup that complements Elliott’s driving style. If Hendrick can address these issues before the 2025 season intensifies, the No. 9 team stands a real chance to return to Victory Lane.
