“He meant a lot to me personally, just getting to be with him since 2021 and going on a couple of vacations with him, getting to know him and being around him a lot,” said Kyle Larson. Jon Edwards’ legacy at HMS is interwoven in the team’s biggest moments. One of the cornerstone members of Jeff Gordon’s 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship, he added technical sophistication and a joy that was infectious to the garage. His grin could illuminate the pit lane, and his pep talk made anyone feel like one of the family. More than his talent, Edwards was a unifier, a man whose warmth left a lasting impression.

The NASCAR community was shocked when Edwards, a pillar of Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), died. His passing was deep—Edwards wasn’t just a member of the crew; he was a friend, a mentor, and the lifeblood of the HMS family. But far from withdrawing to lament, HMS, under Rick Hendrick, decided to celebrate Jon the way he lived: on the race track. With engines revving and hearts heavy, the team channeled their sorrow into a burning desire to win, thinking that’s what Jon, a racer at heart, would have wanted.

Hendrick Motorsports held a memorial for Jon Edwards

At Bristol, the team’s resolve shone through. Larson’s victory was a raw, emotional triumph, dedicated to Edwards with words that cut through the noise: “Damn good, for sure” The win was a testament to Hendrick’s belief that racing was the way to honor Jon, but Larson felt the pressure to do more. He later shared his regret for not sweeping Bristol’s races, a missed chance to amplify the tribute. “It’s awesome, I wish I couldn’t won last night, but just came up a little bit short. It’s cool to get a win this weekend for Jon and everybody who has been a part of his life. We’ve got one more tomorrow, and there would be nothing better than to get a Cup win for Jon and all of Hendrick Motorsports,” he told, heavy with the weight of the moment. Even in the Xfinity race, Larson’s focus remained on Jon.

HMS again honored Edwards’s legacy in person by holding a memorial with the whole HMS family and confidantes in attendance. The NASCAR community’s grief spilled with insiders sharing their heartbreak. Claire B Lang posted, “Thank you so much @TeamHendrick for the celebration of Jon Edwards’ life & post reception tonight. It was truly a beautiful tribute. So many amazing people in this sport who haven’t all been together at the same time in forever …all touched by Jon. It was just so right.” This shows how deeply Edwards was loved, yet HMS’s response stood out—they raced harder, not softer, in his memory.

When Edwards passed, the instinct to pause and grieve was strong, but Rick Hendrick had a different vision. To him, Jon’s spirit was inseparable from the racetrack, and the best tribute was to keep pushing forward. Rather than dwell on the loss, Hendrick rallied his team to channel their pain into performance, a decision that defined their response at Bristol Motor Speedway. Larson, carrying the weight of Jon’s memory, didn’t just race—he poured his soul into every lap, determined to win for his friend. Gordon’s former crew chief, Ray Evernham, posted, “Really nice tribute to Jon Edwards today @TeamHendrick.”

HMS’s official statement reflected their commitment: “His warm and welcoming kindness, infectious sense of humor, wealth of knowledge and stories, and his unwavering passion for the sport and his profession endeared him to all. He was beloved within the walls at Hendrick Motorsports and far beyond them.” Still, they didn’t linger in sorrow. Larson’s Bristol win became a poignant tribute. HMS’s “heart-wrenching” effort showcased how their unity on the track which mirrored Edwards’ ability to bring people together. His loss “ripples through the garage but for HMS, it fueled their fire.

This wasn’t about ignoring grief but about transforming it. Racing together can be therapeutic, a way to grow from loss. HMS embodied that, believing Jon would’ve wanted them to keep pushing. Larson’s two-word tribute post-Bristol—“For Jon”—summed it up. By racing to honor him, Hendrick Motorsports ensured Jon Edwards’ spirit lives on in every lap, every win, and every moment they chase the checkered flag. In addition, Larson never fails to acknowledge people who have influenced the sport in the past.

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Talladega to honor Bobby Allison with Heartfelt Tribute

Kyle Larson’s 2025 Bristol sweep attempt, winning the Xfinity and Cup races in one weekend, brought back memories of NASCAR legend Bobby Allison’s rare 1971 triple crown at Winston-Salem, one of only three such sweeps in NASCAR history. Larson’s feat, mirroring Allison’s dominance, sparked renewed admiration for the 1983 Cup champion. But this is not all. A moving tribute at Talladega Superspeedway will take place on the April 27, 2025, GEICO 500, where Allison, an 87-year-old icon with 85 career wins and three Talladega victories, will be celebrated with a ceremonial parade lap led by his grandson Justin Allison, driving a replica of Bobby’s iconic 1971 No. 12 Dodge,

“My granddad and I spent countless hours on road trips together. He insisted on driving every time,” said Robbie Allison. “I can’t help but smile when I think that we’re going on one last ride together, but I’m driving this time.” Fans will receive commemorative stickers to honor the Alabama native whose fearless driving defined an era. Track president Brian Crichton said, “It’s going to be special honoring the late Bobby Allison with a parade lap in his famous 1969 Mercury Cyclone prior to the Jack Link’s 500.” The gesture reflects Talladega’s deep ties to Allison, whose battles on the 2.66-mile track thrilled fans for decades.

The lap, dubbed “one last ride,” carries extra weight as Bobby, sidelined by health issues, had not visited Talladega since 2024 and will watch from home. The tribute, announced by Talladega Superspeedway, goes beyond the lap. A No. 12 Chevy Camaro pace car, adorned with Bobby’s name and his Talladega victory years (1971, 1979, 1981), will lead the field. Bobby’s connection to Talladega is more than personal—it’s familial. Brother Donnie and son Davey left their own indelible stamps on the sport as well, Davey’s 1992 Talladega victory one of the family’s shining moments. The Allison family’s legacy is woven into NASCAR’s tapestry, and this tribute recognizes their combined contribution.

As the GEICO 500 approaches, the track, built on historic land, will pause to celebrate a driver who raced with heart. For Justin, it’s a chance to carry his grandfather’s legacy one more lap, connecting past and present in a moment NASCAR fans won’t forget.