Can Hendrick Motorsports’ Bristol Dominance Power Rick Hendrick to Get a Third Playoff Spot?

Team Hendrick Motorsports is poised to take another win at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Observing the recent stats, Kyle Larson is going to be Mr. H.’s favorite driver for the Food City 500 race, followed by Byron and Chase Elliott. But there’s a turn. Bristol Motor Speedway is returning to its conventional concrete race track and will host two Cup Series races on concrete in 2024.

So there will be no more dirt racing, and with so many drivers who have previously encountered setbacks in conquering a dirt track, they will be able to race at full throttle. With the weekend approaching and the stage set at the world’s fastest half-mile track, racing enthusiasts will witness an intense battle. A battle for dominance!

Larson and Byron to Lead From Hendrick Motorsports Command

Team HMS has a total of 12 victories at the Bristol Motor Speedway; the last one was from Kyle Larson in 2021. Larson is the present leader in the Cup Series standings with 141 points, including 1 win, 1 top 5, and 1 top 10 finish. The team has the most top-five finishes (seven) and top-10s (nine). He has led 205 laps so far. He led a whopping 175 laps in the 2021 Bass Pro Shops Night Race, passing Kevin Harvick for the lead with only four laps remaining. Kyle Larson is the only driver to finish in the top five in the last three races at the Bristol Track.

Driving his No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, he has the current best average finish of 2.7. Kyle Larson finished second in last year’s race after commencing at the back. During his Cup Series career at Bristol, he has led the second-most laps (870) of any active track on the circuit. Larson holds a record for a lap time of 14.945 seconds at the Bristol Motor Speedway.

On the other hand, William Byron, the 2024 Daytona Champion, is currently placed 2nd in the Cup Series ranking. The No. 24 driver has the second-best average finish of 5.0 at Thunder Valley. He is one of the three drivers, along with Larson, who has finished in the top ten in the last three Bristol races. During 2021 and 2022, Byron has managed to score a pair of third-place finishes.

Following a mixed-and-matched performance at the Phoenix Raceway, Mr. H. will be looking out for support from his top-performing drivers as well as other team members. A triumph at the Great Coliseum is all he can demand.

Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin can spoil Team HMS’ rankings!

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In contrast with team HMS’s 12 victories, Kyle Busch, presently driving for Richard Childress Racing, single-handedly owns the record of 8 triumphs at the Speedway. Apart from his 8 wins, Rowdy holds the record for 7 top-5 finishes and 5 top-10 finishes out of his 35 races at the Bristol Motor Speedway. Kyle Busch is presently placed 12th in the Cup Series rankings following his dull performance in the last two races. However, the No. 8 boasts a pretty high chance of regaining his form now that the Bristol racetrack is dirt-free.

Coming in next as a threat for Larson and Byron is none other than Denny Hamlin. Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 11 driver has the present best 3rd average finish of 6.3 at the Bristol Tracks. Considering the present participants for the 2024 Cup Series, after Kyle Busch, Hamlin holds the next-best record for 3 race wins at the Valley. He is the present defending champion of the track, following his last win in the previous race held at the Great Coliseum.

Denny Hamlin emerged victorious in the third race of the 2023 playoffs, and is presently ranked 10th in the Cup series standings. Though he is great at scoring stage points in races, it is high time for him to clinch a victory.

Read More: “S**T Happens”: Denny Hamlin’s Veteran Crew Chief Masterfully Salvaged Pride Despite Unfortunate Phoenix Struggles

From the above analysis based on proven track records, undeniably, Hendrick Motorsports’ top performers, along with Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, are the top contenders for a win at the upcoming Food City 500 race. However, again considering the ever-evolving side of NASCAR dynamics, the world’s fastest half-mile track will be one to decide to whom it will benefit.