Rick Hendrick’s 40-Year NASCAR Legacy Earns Him ‘North American McLaren’ Prestige from Zak Brown…
What defines the best race car driver in the world in 2024? For Formula 1 enthusiasts, names like Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen come to mind. However, true racing prowess lies not just in dominating one discipline but in mastering various forms of motorsport—a feat Kyle Larson of Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) has achieved in his career.
This versatility is precisely why McLaren and HMS have teamed up again to give Larson another chance at the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in 2025. But why is McLaren, a British-based manufacturer, investing in a driver from a different continent? Beyond business prospects, McLaren seeks to solidify a historic partnership with NASCAR’s legendary team owner, Rick Hendrick.
HMS has established itself as NASCAR’s most successful team, fostering champions like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Larson. Yet, despite the tremendous success on NASCAR’s oval tracks, the organization hadn’t ventured into other forms of racing. Larson’s diverse skills, though, have enabled HMS to break beyond its NASCAR boundaries, making its collaboration with McLaren a strategic move to enhance its global racing footprint.
On the other side, McLaren views Hendrick as a key ally in expanding its presence in America, a vital market for the British brand. While McLaren has made strides in Formula 1, competing against Red Bull for the title, they aim to widen their appeal. A partnership with Rick Hendrick and a joint effort with Larson for the Indy 500 helps McLaren fulfill this long-term objective.
“We’re sort of a crossover team. We’re racing in IndyCar, Formula E, Extreme E—we like to race. And to partner with Rick Hendrick, who’s like the McLaren of North America, makes perfect sense,” McLaren CEO Zak Brown remarked during an interview with Dale Earnhardt Jr.
McLaren has a unique place in motorsport history as the only team to win the prestigious triple crown—the Indy 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and a Formula 1 Championship.
The partnership with Hendrick not only adds to McLaren’s illustrious portfolio but also opens up new business opportunities. “Our sponsors want more presence in America, especially with Formula 1 growing here. We want a bigger piece of that,” Brown added.
Despite the Indy 500 being a high priority, Rick Hendrick and Kyle Larson have made it clear that if scheduling conflicts arise between the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600, their main focus will be on the NASCAR event.
Larson’s experience in 2024, where a delayed start at the Indy 500 due to weather saw him miss the Coca-Cola 600, led to much debate. Although Larson finished 18th at Indy, NASCAR postponed the race in Charlotte, easing concerns. However, HMS has assured officials that, moving forward, the Coca-Cola 600 will be prioritized.
“If we’re doing this, we’re not going to put ourselves in a bind. Our priority will always be the Coca-Cola 600,” Hendrick emphasized in a press conference. Larson echoed these sentiments, stating, “I owe it to my NASCAR team to make it back in time and try to win one of the biggest races of the season.”
For now, HMS and McLaren have addressed all concerns and remain committed to supporting Kyle Larson’s potential redemption story at the Indy 500 in 2025, while ensuring that their NASCAR commitments remain intact.
