CONCORD, N.C. – Hendrick Motorsports has reached the Championship 4 on eight times and its been accomplished by five drivers.
Three of Hendrick Motorsports’ 14 Cup Series championships have come in the format where the highest-finishing driver among the Championship 4 is the title winner. Under this system, Jimmie Johnson won at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2016, Chase Elliott scored the crown at Phoenix in 2020 and Larson took the title in 2021. Johnson, Elliott and Larson all won the races in which they earned the championship.
How have the Hendrick Motorsports drivers that reached the Championship 4 fared in the title races held at Homestead-Miami and Phoenix? Read on to find out.
2015: Jeff Gordon
Race result: Sixth at Homestead-Miami
Standings: Finished third
Recap: In his final full-time season, Gordon’s quest for a fifth championship came up just short at Homestead-Miami. Gordon was the first Hendrick Motorsports driver to reach the Championship 4 in the elimination-style playoff format that was introduced the year prior.
2016: Jimmie Johnson
Race result: Won at Homestead-Miami
Standings: Finished first and won the championship
Recap: Johnson fought back from starting at the rear to earn his series-tying seventh premier series championship – matching the mark of NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. Johnson got the best of Larson on a restart with two to go for the historic victory.
2020: Chase Elliott
Race result: Won at Phoenix
Standings: Finished first and won the championship
Recap: Elliott overcame a back-of-the-field start to win his first Cup Series championship. The Dawsonville, Georgia, native led a race-best 153 laps and dominated the final stage to score the title.
PHOTOS: See all of the Cup Series championships for Hendrick Motorsports
2021: Kyle Larson
Race result: Won at Phoenix
Standings: Finished first and won the championship
Recap: A clutch pit stop set Larson up to lead the final 28 laps of the race to cap off his 10-win season in style with his first Cup Series championship. The Elk Grove, California, native led a race-high 107 laps on the day as well.
2021: Chase Elliott
Race result: Fifth at Phoenix
Standings: Finished fourth
Recap: Elliott’s second straight Championship 4 appearance saw him lead 94 laps but come up short in his bid to keep the title. But teammate Larson kept the championship home at Hendrick Motorsports though.
2022: Chase Elliott
Race result: 28th at Phoenix
Standings: Finished fourth
Recap: Following contact with fellow Championship 4 competitor Ross Chastain in the final stage, Elliott spun into the inside wall on the front stretch, resulting in right-side damage that hindered his car the rest of the way. Before that, the No. 9 team was hunting Joey Logano for the championship lead. Of note, Elliott and the No. 9 team were not eligible for the owner’s title in this race, but Larson and the No. 5 team were. They finished ninth in the race and third in the owner points standings.
RELATED: Byron discusses 2023 season, title race | Larson eager to get going for '24 season
2023: Kyle Larson
Race result: Third at Phoenix
Standings: Finished second
Recap: Larson spent much of the race in the third position among the Championship 4 hopefuls. Following a pit stop with 36 laps to go, Larson held the lead among the title contenders but was unable to hold off a hard-charging Ryan Blaney on the final green-flag run. He was passed for the championship lead with 20 laps to go.
2023: William Byron
Race result: Fourth at Phoenix
Standings: Finished third
Recap: Byron earned the pole position and led the first 92 laps of the race. He held the championship lead for most of the first two stages and approximately the first quarter of the final stage (205 laps in total). A tight race car over the last run of the race led to Byron finishing third among the Championship 4.