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Jeff Gordon has addressed Hendrick Motorsports drivers' 2024 NASCAR season performance and has set his sights on winning the 2025 Cup Series title. The 53-year-old also believes their four Chevy drivers had a "legitimate shot" to compete in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway.
William Byron was the only driver of the Rick Hendrick-owned team who came close to lifting the season after finishing third in the final drivers' standings behind the two Team Penske drivers. Former Cup Series champions Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott fell out of contention after the Round of 8 playoff race.
On the other hand, Alex Bowman, who had initially qualified for the Round of 8, had a misfortune as he failed a post-race inspection at the Charlotte ROVAL playoff race. As a result, Joey Logano, the eventual 2024 championship winner, had the opportunity to advance to the next round instead of Bowman.
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Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, HMS vice chairman Gordon gave his reaction to his team's plans for season and said:
"Highly motivated. You know, I think all four of our teams felt like they had a shot to be in Phoenix. And there were times throughout the year and throughout the playoffs where I thought we had a legitimate shot to at least get three of them there if not four. And so when that didn't happen, those that didn't make it were highly disappointed," Jeff Gordon said.
The four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon highlighted Larson's six triumphs and his dominant run until the fall off. Moreover, he spoke about how Elliott bounced back from an underwhelming 2023 season.
"I thought it was just a spectacular year for Chase Elliott. Those guys were so consistent. I just saw a fire in him and the whole team. And just the engagement that they had and how they were sharing information this year and running up front leading laps. So I think they're only going to build on that," Jeff Gordon added, [0:51]
Elliott delivered consistent performances throughout the 2024 season. The 28-year-old finished inside the top 20 in his first 19 races and broke his 42-race winless streak at Texas Motor Speedway.
"I feel like I have a good direction": Jeff Gordon's ace Chase Elliott reflected on his 2024 season
Back in 2023, Chase Elliott suffered a broken leg due to a snowboarding accident in Colorado. The #9 team was also suspended for a single race after wrecking Denny Hamlin at the Charlotte Motor Speedway race. As a result, his series of unfortunate events ended with a winless season.
Nevertheless, the 19-time Cup race winner rebounded with a solid run and claimed one win, 11 top-fives, and 19 top-10s in 36 starts in 2024. Reflecting on his 2024 season, Elliott said (via NASCAR):
"Nothing is ever perfect, I guess, in my eyes, but I am really proud of where we’ve come from and where we have been, particularly over the last few months of the season, and even more so over the last few weeks. I just feel like we have a really good direction, I feel like I have a good direction. I’m giving them better feedback in what I want and what I need, and I think all those things are really positive."
Elliott continued:
"So, yeah, I don’t know that you ever have it figured out, but I’m certainly, genuinely proud of where we’ve been and where we are right now."
While Hendrick Motorsports celebrated its 40th anniversary, it is worth mentioning it had the most wins by any organization this season. Moreover, it was the sixth time that all four drivers made their way into the playoffs.
