“I never count those guys out”: Jeff Gordon makes feelings known on Hendrick Motorsports driver-crew chief duo

Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon has shared his thoughts on Kyle Larson and his crew chief, Cliff Daniels. Speaking to the media after the Martinsville race, Gordon stated how he has a lot of confidence in the driver-crew duo in the championship race at Phoenix.

Larson is one of two Hendrick Motorsports drivers (the other is William Byron), who qualified for the Championship 4, set to take place next week. He will compete for the final round and the ultimate prize this Sunday (2 November) as he will lock horns against teammate Byron, and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe.

Even though Byron, the third-placed driver last year, and the JGR duo of Hamlin and Briscoe are expected to give Larson a run for their money, the #5 driver's experience of winning in the Championship 4 gives Gordon extra confidence.

"I just think you have Kyle, who is very unique in the way he blocks things out," Gordon said via ASAP Sports. "I feel like he's always had confidence, always been able to fall back on his talents, his race team, his race cars to get himself back there. Cliff is an incredibly strong leader and a very positive thinker."

"I think that the combination of those two, the people that they surround themselves with, really help them fight through that. I think when the Playoffs started, their performance was there. I think all through the Playoffs they've been building up to this point. Yeah, I never count those guys out," he further added.

Kyle Larson won his only championship in the NASCAR Cup Series back in 2021. It was his first year at Hendrick Motorsports after he arrived from Chip Ganassi Racing.

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Hendrick Motorsports driver shared his thoughts after Martinsville race: "Hopefully one of us can win it"

Kyle Larson touched upon the Martinsville race and shared his delight. Speaking to the media after the race, Larson stated that he was happy for William Byron and is excited to go and fight for the Championship this weekend.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson (5) during the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway - Source: Imagn

"So happy for him. Happy for our team. Happy for Hendrick Motorsports. This win is as good as it could have been for us, for us to score more points than Christopher, then have William or Chase win, too. Glad we can give Mr. H an opportunity next week. Hopefully one of us can win it," Larson said. (NBC Sports)

Fellow Hendrick Motorsports driver, Chase Elliott, failed to make the cut, along with JGR star Christopher Bell. On the other hand, reigning champion and runner-up, Joey Logano and Ryan Blaney, also could not qualify for the final round.