NASCAR Rumors: Jeff Gordon’s HMS may potentially hold five Cup drivers in 2025

Hendrick Motorsports's 2025 season lineup is surrounded by speculation and rumors. Recently, it has been suggested that Justin Haley could join the team as the fifth Cup Series driver.

The current HMS drivers are Kyle Larson (No. 5), William Byron (No. 24), Chase Elliott (No. 9) and Alex Bowman (No. 48). According to reports, Justin Haley might take the No. 7 car.

In a recent episode of the "Door, Bumper, Clear podcast," veteran spotters, Brett Griffin and Freddie Kraft, mentioned that HMS has more than four drivers signed for the 2025 Cup Series season. Based on recent rumors, the fifth driver is likely to be Justin Haley.

Haley, who currently drives the No. 51 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Rick Ware Racing, has made a name for himself with impressive performances. He scored a surprise victory in the 2019 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona and later became the 32nd driver to win in all three NASCAR national series.

Moreover, another rumor that originated from the same podcast suggested that Alex Bowman might lose the No. 48 Chevrolet seat in the next season if he does not advance to the first round of playoffs.

Bowman addressed the rumors at Cup Series Playoff Media Day and called them “annoying.” He added that he is under contract with HMS until 2026 and that he has not heard of any plans to replace him in the No. 48 Chevrolet.

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HMS drivers on championship pressure

Hendrick Motorsports drivers were recently asked if the team’s 40th anniversary made them feel more pressure to win their 15th championship.

All four drivers, Kyle Larson, Alex Bowman, William Byron, and Chase Elliott said it did not change their approach. While the anniversary is important to team owner Rick Hendrick and his staff, the drivers are focused on winning races.

"I don’t think there’s anybody on the outside that’s going to put more pressure on me than I put on myself to perform each and every week and to do my job," Bowman said.

"I don’t view it as pressure, I just view it as opportunity. Right now, we have 10 more opportunities to win a race and also a championship, which would be great in Rick’s 40th season," Larson added.

HMS had a great result at Martinsville Speedway this year. William Byron, Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott finished in the top three, and Alex Bowman came in eighth.

The next nine playoff races including the final race at Phoenix Raceway on November 10 will decide the team's championship hopes.