Despite Bitter Playoff Exit, Kyle Larson Can Be Hendrick Motorsports’ “$2 Million” MVP Over Chase Elliott in Phoenix

Despite Kyle Larson achingly missing out on a chance to defend his crown post his playoff exit at the ROVAL, he could still prove more beneficial to Hendrick Motorsports. Possibly more than even Chase Elliott or William Byron.

The #9 and #24 are the two HMS cars still in contention for the driver’s championship. And while it’s true, most focus on that aspect of the season, but it’s worth mentioning that from a team standpoint, there is something more fruitful than that.

It is the owner’s title, something the #5 is not only still a part of, but with the win at Homestead, they’re heading to Phoenix with their eyes on the prize.

A prize which, according to journalist Bob Pockrass, is worth over $2 million as NASCAR pays bonus money based on the owner’s championship instead of the driver’s championship.

So yes, Chase Elliott may very well win the crown and sweep most of the headlines, it is still Kyle Larson who still has a chance to bring bigger rewards for his organization.

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Winning for the team means more to Kyle Larson, he confesses after Miami win

After winning his first race at Homestead, Kyle Larson opened up on the scenario he’d “hate to be in” at Phoenix, even if it means he was retaining his driver’s title.

“I view myself as…if I say we were to win Phoenix, like my name isn’t going to be on the championship, but having our team be the champion I think is honestly better than…like I would hate to be in Ryan Blaney’s position,” Larson said. “I think he’s the one that’s only in on driver, not owner.”

“I would hate to be in his position, and say he wins the championship and he is credited with a championship, but not his team.”

Larson confessed that if he had his way, he’d choose to celebrate the team championship simply because, apart from the obvious reason, “that’s the paycheck” as well.

“We’re going to go for that, and we’re fired up about it,” he added.

Also Read: “Tainted My Legacy With The Chase Elliott Crowd” – Denny Hamlin On When He Intentionally Wrecked The Hendrick Motorsports Driver