CONCORD, N.C. – What’s a celebration without a little music?
With Hendrick Motorsports’ 250th NASCAR Cup Series win in the books thanks to Chase Elliott’s first career Cup Series win, it seemed as good a time as any to recap the organization’s summer music series.
After the organization created a brand-new Spotify account, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon and teammates Elliott, William Byron, Jimmie Johnson and Alex Bowman all shared their very own playlists.
And all six men shared the role music plays in their lives.
“I never could play an instrument, but I love music,” Hendrick said. “It soothes me, and I can drift away from all the things that I’ve got to do. It takes me to a quiet place.”
Johnson said he uses music as a “mood-lifting experience,” and he hopes his playlist can be the same for anyone who listens.
“Music’s a happy place,” he said. “I would hope to inspire some positive thought or bring back a memory for somebody.”
One thing the participants often prided themselves on was the variety in their playlists.
“I like a lot of different types of music – from country and Brad Paisley to hip-hop to pop and DJs like The Chainsmokers,” Gordon said.
Taking all six playlists into account, there’s certainly a wide range of genres represented.
Spanning decades, artists like Roy Orbison and The Beach Boys are joined by Pearl Jam, Nirvana and Blink-182. Eric Church, Zac Brown Band and Brad Paisley are well-represented, and newer acts like Imagine Dragons, Camila Cabello and Halsey all made the cut.
“I have a pretty interesting music taste,” Bowman said. “It varies quite a bit, so I tried to add everything into my playlist. There’s some pretty cool stuff in there. It’s just all stuff that I like and like to jam to.”
Byron said he’s always happy to be introduced to new artists and what they have to say.
“Different songs tell a story,” he said, “and I enjoy listening to all the different stories.”
No matter which playlist meshes with your music taste, Elliott said it’s all about enjoying the effect music can have.
“People have different types of music that pumps them up or gets them excited or makes them feel good,” the Watkins Glen winner said. “I don’t really think it matters what kind of music it is. If it does it for you, then that’s all that matters.”