CONCORD, N.C. - Weeks removed from Kyle Larson claiming the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship and all the media and buzz that followed, Jeff Gordon sat in his office at Hendrick Motorsports and pondered the meaning of this latest title.
Having won four as a driver (1995, '97, '98, 2001) and also having been a part of Jimmie Johnson's seven as a team co-owner, championships are hardly new for Gordon. But Larson's second crown, won at Phoenix Raceway in early November, added yet another distinction - his title as vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports.
"It's incredibly rewarding," Gordon concluded. "There's no doubt every year that goes by that I'm in this role I get more connected with the people and the teams on this level to really enjoy the success and the championship almost as much as when I was driving."
Even in Gordon's driving days, there was never quite a title-winning scenario like Larson's this year. The No. 5 team took advantage of a late caution and utilized a two-tire call from crew chief Cliff Daniels, putting Larson out ahead for a green-white-checkered finish. Larson made it stick, coming home in third place, which was good enough to win the championship after much of the day - including a blown tire - looked bleak at best.
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The sudden change of fortunes certainly added to the experience, as evidenced by a now-viral video of team owner, Rick Hendrick, rooting Larson to the finish line in the closing laps.
As for Gordon, he said he made an effort to be more subdued, standing atop the No. 9 pit box.
"I always try to be respectful of the box I'm on," Gordon said. "That's what's a unique dynamic of that day - you're following the championship and pulling for the two teams that are in it but you're sitting on the pit box of one of the other teams and you're hoping they have a great day. The ultimate is one of those other two cars wins the race and the two cars finish 1-2 in the championship.
"I was still in so much shock. I was excited and then I got down off the box and I think it started to sink in as I was walking to victory lane."
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And yet, nearly two months later, Gordon admits that process is still ongoing.
"Being around the shop in meetings and interacting with the crew chiefs, teams and drivers you realize how bad they want it, how hard they're working just to get to Phoenix," Gordon said. "Then, when you see them pull that off, that's what pulls me in - the trust and belief and excitement and nervousness you have for them. I definitely felt that throughout the whole weekend ... Then it was more, 'Holy cow, that just happened.' And I'd say I'm still a little bit in that mode. The record books years from now won't talk about any of that, it'll be that we won our 15th championship.
"I think right now, where I am is just incredibly proud of knowing we put ourselves in that position. Our folks worked extremely hard and they did it."
Now, to do it again.
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Like everyone else at Hendrick Motorsports, as the holidays come and go Gordon's attention will turn to 2026 along with the calendar. Gordon said it's a mentality the entire organization has long since embraced.
"I think what our folks are so good at, no matter how good you did last year, they're working equally or even harder at raising the bar the next year," Gordon said.
Aiding in that effort, and at the top of Gordon's list, is a new Chevrolet body that will be used, as testing already took place this past November.
"When you've done what we've done with our car and our teams and one of those things is winning a lot of races and winning a championship, I get really excited when I think we've got something that's an upgrade," Gordon said. "I don't want to get too caught up in that because sometimes, it takes time to fine tune that change.
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"I do think we've been a bit behind when you look at aerodynamics - our car versus some of our competitors. I feel like we've gotten ourselves on a level playing field with them, so I'm very excited about that."
New car, new schedule, a new road race on a Naval base and perhaps a new playoff format, change is coming in 2026, but such is life in racing. Adapting has been a requirement since Hendrick fielded his first Cup Series entry in 1984 and for Gordon, it's been the same story no matter what role he's filled since running his first race for Hendrick Motorsports at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992.
And yet, now 15 championships and counting, the organization has evolved with time and rolled with punches and Gordon doesn't see that - or the success - stopping anytime soon, especially not in 2026.
"I think our campus and our organization is in a really good place," Gordon said. "The things we've been able to accomplish and celebrate - our 40th anniversary (in 2024), a really good year this year and take out the championship, three of our four teams winning multiple times, new partnerships, adding Corey Day full time (in the NASCAR O'Reilly Series) - to me, a lot of things feel good. Just the energy here."