Over two months after his heartbreak, Kyle Larson could finally smile to his heart’s content. In May, the Hendrick Motorsports driver became the fifth driver to attempt the double. But a pit stop penalty landed him in 18th place at the Indianapolis 500, and a rain delay snuffed his Charlotte plans. So coming back to Indianapolis Motor Speedway must have been bittersweet for the #5 driver.

But a magical turn of events at the Brickyard 400 seemed to fall in Larson’s favor. When Larson surged ahead to the front row and grabbed the trophy, he was ecstatic. He blissfully uttered a wish to try the double again, but his team owner, Rick Hendrick, may not be so sure anymore.

As Kyle Larson took his celebrations up a notch and threw in a surprise declaration for fans. He ecstatically suggested on Victory Lane: “So how about we come back next May and try to kiss these bricks on the Indy car.” Asked if he would like to run the Double again, Larson eagerly responded, “I’d love to, I’d love to; we’re working on it. I hope we can announce something soon and see you guys all next May.” 

However, team owner Rick Hendrick tempered Larson’s excitement in the post-race interview. When asked if he and Jeff Gordon had signed off on Larson’s plans to run the double again, Hendrick simply replied, “Not yet.” This response does put a hold on Larson’s hopes, but as optimistic as the racing world is, we are sure it only sees the glimmer of possibility it leaves.

Well, despite all, in the post-race press conference, team owner Rick Hendrick was beaming with excitement, sharing in the electrifying atmosphere. As he reflected on his first-ever experience driving a pace car, Hendrick said, “I don’t know if I’ve been this excited to crawl through the fence to see the fans. I’ve never done that before, never got to drive a pace car before. So very excited about the race and how it ended.”

Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman of HMS and winner of the inaugural Brickyard 400, also reflected on Kyle Larson’s redemption cycle. “I just think this year has been special…with Kyle driving the Indy 500…Just to be there kind of on the sidelines watching how that all unfolded…I think being here for the month of May…just makes you appreciate it that much more. The fans and everybody that makes this speedway so special. Today, especially that car, that paint scheme…seemed to bring it all full circle and made it very special.”

Notably, Larson was running in the same paint scheme (the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Fan Appreciation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1) last weekend as the Coca-Cola 600 race, which he missed due to inclement weather. That’s what makes his win extra special. In a post-race interview, the victor said, “Everything just comes full circle. Everything is meant to be. Today was definitely meant to be for us.”

Coming to the Indianapolis oval after three years, it was RFK Racing’s Brad Keselowki looking like he would win. However, a last minute pit stop owing to fuel shortage literally put the trophy in Larson’s lap as he claimed the lead on the first overtime. Despite, a multicar wreck and a 17-minute red flag, the HMS veteran held on to win under caution.

On a separate note, besides taking part in Kyle Larson’s celebrations, Rick Hendrick also reminisced about his first win at the Brickyard 400.

When Mr. H and his team made history in 1994

We would expect nothing less from the winningest team in the NASCAR Cup Series, even during their formative years. During the 1990s, Jeff Gordon was a rising star himself, fetching wins at race tracks. But one track scripted history for both his career and Rick Hendrick’s team. Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been reserved for IndyCar since its inception in 1909. That began to change in the 1980s, and NASCAR made its entry. By 1994, the first race was fixed—the Brickyard 400 would be flagged off for the first time.

And Jeff Gordon soared to victory in the inaugural Brickyard 400. The crowd reception was remarkable, similar to Larson’s fan cheers today, as Gordon said: “It felt like we were all rockstars at Woodstock. I remember rolling around during the pace lap and just being in awe of the number of people that were there. I never had seen a race with grandstands wrapped all the way around the racetrack that were full.”

So thirty years later, that victory still gives Rick Hendrick goosebumps. He admitted after Kyle Larson commemorated the anniversary of that victory with his fourth win this season, and 27th over in the Cup Series: “I know the first one watching this guy. The inaugural race was unbelievable.” 

As a 23-year-old boy winning the first edition of what would become NASCAR’s one of four crown jewel events, helped launched Gordon’s iconic career.

Hence, at a pre-race presser, the former #24 couldn’t help but express what the win meant for him and his team: “Had no idea that we were actually going to go there and be that competitive and then win the race. Certainly changed my life forever and set the whole 24 team at Hendrick Motorsports on this kind of amazing journey.” Up until August 1994, Gordon had only won one Cup race. He won the Brickyard 400 four more times in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2014.

Evidently, today is a very memorable day for Hendrick Motorsports. One that will definitely go down in the history books!