Hendrick and JGR stars discuss new chapter in – Sports News
Hendrick Motorsport’s Kyle Larson and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell had been arguably the 2 most dominant drivers of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season.
Speaking forward of the 2026 season, each had been requested about how the flip to the new “Chase” format might doubtlessly elevate rivalries in NASCAR. Both had been clear about who their foremost rival is.
“There’s undoubtedly drivers, even in the earlier format, who would elevate you and push you to be higher,” Larson, 34, told PRN Live. “Even in a season-long battle, week after week, you possibly can form of zone in on who you’re battling.”
“Hopefully, we’re one of these guys on the finish who’re attempting to raise themselves in opposition to the competitors…Christopher has undoubtedly been that man, although, for sure,” he added when referencing his competition.
Bell wasn’t coy when asked about Larson. “From my standpoint, I’ve definitely gotten offended with him a couple of instances,” he said. “We’ve had a couple run ins the place he’s executed me unsuitable and angered me. That’s come and gone. I believe we’re on fairly good phrases now. We wish to beat one another once we’re going head-to-head, I’ll say.”
When speaking about the new format, Bell thinks the “cream will rise to the highest” as part of a nuanced answer. “I believe you’ll see more of the identical guys frequently preventing for the championship, which is the best way it must be,” he said.
The new format will still see 16 drivers qualify for the equivalent of the Cup Series playoffs, but race wins don’t guarantee drivers spots in the new field.
Additionally, all drivers will have their points reset for the playoffs, with the season winner (and other top finishers) given a substantial head start.
“Every sport has its best guys and has the blokes that aren’t pretty much as good,” Bell added. “With the best way our format was over the past 10 years or so, we haven’t been capable of elevate drivers, and the cream rises to the highest to a sure extent, however it will get flopped round.”
“As the man who was first will now be first, the man who was tenth will now be first. Now we’re actually going to have the ability to see the cream rise to the highest, keep there, and hopefully generate the following degree of superstars.”
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