Versatility. That’s one of the many reasons people believe Kyle Larson is among the greatest to ever do it – the “it” being motor racing. And it’s also why when the No.5 driver put forth the idea of attempting The Double in May, Rick Hendrick gave him the green light. “When you put the talent, desire, and all that together, I think that’s what’s driving him. And I do think he’s one of the greatest drivers I’ve ever been with,” the HMS boss said about Larson. Fast forward two months, and Hendrick seems to have changed his mind about who he feels is the best driver he’s worked with.

Rick Hendrick says Kyle Larson is god-gifted but not the best!

Kyle Larson is a force to be reckoned with. There’s no denying it. But with all the praise he gets for his on-track success, there are questions surrounding NASCAR’s apparent favoritism for Larson. It started when the organization granted its ‘golden boy’ a waiver for choosing to miss the Coca-Cola 600 while attempting The Double. While unfavorable weather conditions were at play, he still could’ve chosen the Charlotte race over the Indy 500. So, as everyone expected a harsh ruling, NASCAR let him go. Something similar happened this weekend at the Brickyard 400.

As the HMS driver returned to the venue where he debuted at the Indy 500, Larson was handed the win by NASCAR, if you ask Ryan Blaney. But while he may be NASCAR’s favorite driver, for Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon is the one who has his heart. Following Larson’s controversial win in Indianapolis, Hendrick said during the post-race presser, “I think when I look back to Tim Richmond and Jeff Gordon, Jeff Gordon’s the best I’ve ever seen.”

However, it doesn’t mean he dissed Kyle Larson. After all, he is one of the best on track right now and can potentially become the champion! When asked how he feels about watching the No.5 driver’s exploits on the track, the team boss said, “I think when these cars are so equal, [the talent] stands out more.” Besides the Next Gen cars introduced for better racing, NASCAR also started sharing SMT data. So, their competitors can learn from everything a driver or team does right, too. Because Larson can still stand out given these circumstances, Hendrick remains forever impressed.

He explained, “I asked [Larson], ‘What made you feel so good in this [Next Gen car]?’ He said, ‘The IndyCar. I learned a lot driving that – how to set people up, working the corners.’” Hendrick believes Larson is god-gifted, and when one couples it with his confidence and great equipment, it makes for a deadly mix. The boss said, “In equal equipment, the guy is really hard to beat. If you just get him even, I think his confidence level, coupled with his God-given talent. It’s just a lethal combination.”

Since the introduction of the Next Gen car in 2022, Kyle Larson has won 11 races, 37 top-5s, and 48 top-10s. And the latest of those wins was the one in Indianapolis – his first time winning there. However, it happened because “dumb luck” was in his favor. The HMS driver was running third behind Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney. But when Keselowski retired after running out of fuel during a caution with three laps to go, Larson moved up to take his place on the track, effectively getting promoted to first rather than second.

Blaney, who was understandably furious following the restart, subsequent red flag, and another restart, vented his frustration on the radio, calling Larson NASCAR’s “golden boy.” He watched the race slip through his fingers, and following the second restart in the second overtime, he could only manage a P3 finish. As for Kyle Larson, he soaked in the feeling of winning in Indianapolis, something he couldn’t achieve in May. But will he give it a go in 2025, too?

Rick Hendrick might not green-light Larson’s second Indy attempt

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Kyle Larson’s win at Indianapolis didn’t quite ring ‘happy’ because of the controversial finish. But for Larson, it’s a full circle moment because two months prior, what he couldn’t do in Indianapolis, he kind of did make up for it with this win. And after winning the race, he said he wanted to do it again and attempt The Double. After the race, he shouted to the grandstands, saying, “I love you, Indiana fans, and I know you love me too. How ’bout we come back next May and try to kiss the bricks in the Indy car?”

But to do that yet again, he would need his team’s permission, and it seems like his boss isn’t just about ready. Rick Hendrick was on stage with Jeff Gordon when he was asked about signing the request for Larson’s attempt to run the Indy 500 again next year. And he said, “Not yet.”

Well, it’s not a surprise because the first time around, Rick Hendrick’s team was affected, as Larson couldn’t make it on time for the Cup Series race. Justin Allgaier was behind the wheel for Larson, and when the weather worsened, even though Larson had arrived, he couldn’t attempt the race. Also, the fact that Rick Hendrick and NASCAR got plenty of backlash suggests that Larson might not get to attempt it again. 

But Larson, for sure, wants to be back. He said, “I would love to be back next year. Feel like I learned a lot. Made a couple of mistakes early there with the restart — not sure what I did there. Feel like I did a really good job after that and was able to learn a lot.” Do you think his team would allow him to do so? Let us know!