Kyle Larson zoomed around Kansas Speedway, absolutely crushing the Advent Health 400. He led 221 of 267 laps, crossed the finish line 0.712 seconds ahead of Christopher Bell, and snagged his third NASCAR Cup Series win of the season. His No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy was untouchable, and you could see the pure excitement on his face as he celebrated his third Kansas victory. This wasn’t just a win—it was a big, heartfelt shoutout to his team and the guy who’s had his back, Rick Hendrick.

This was reminiscent of his dominant run at Bristol earlier this season, where he led 411 out of 500 laps. But what is the secret behind this raw speed that the #5 team has? Well, going by Larson’s admission, his success on the track has been possible because of the teamwork at HMS.

Larson’s Gratitude for Rick Hendrick and HMS Transformation

Kyle Larson can’t say enough good things about Rick Hendrick, and honestly, who could blame him? Back in 2020, Larson hit a low point after NASCAR suspended him for using a racial slur during an iRacing event. He owned up to it, apologized, and worked hard to make things right, but his future was up in the air. Then Rick Hendrick stepped in, signing him to Hendrick Motorsports in 2021. “Joining Hendrick Motorsports and their five team, man, when you think about it, since 2021 a lot of the numbers have sky-rocketed for myself, a huge testament to that is a great team… pretty amazing for sure,” Larson said in his post-race interview wit SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90). That second chance from Hendrick wasn’t just a job—it was a game-changer that lit a fire under Larson’s career.

Before HMS, Larson was already a talent to watch at Chip Ganassi Racing, picking up six wins over six seasons with his bold, dirt-racing vibe. After joining HMS with crew chief Cliff Daniels and the No. 5 team, Larson’s been unstoppable, racking up 26 of his 32 career wins since 2021, including the 2021 Cup championship. “I’m not sure if we had the best car, but we were able to have the track position and your ability to stay out front and have your pitstops and restarts, so hats off to the whole team, it takes a team, you know, to win these Cup races, and we have a great one, so happy to get it done today.” 

It’s not just the #5 team but the entire Hendrick Motorsports organization that has worked together to make strides towards the title. For three years straight, Team Penske has bagged the Bill France trophy, and it seems like HMS is following in their blueprint to form a strong team base before allowing their drivers to compete in the playoffs. Chad Knaus, who has seen it all with his 7 Cup Series title triumph with Jimmie Johnson, feels that the chemistry between the teams is at an all-time high.

“Obviously, the crew chiefs are now in their third complete year of working together. Our drivers are maturing, working together. They dive in deep with one another. They lean on each other. The communication at Hendrick Motorsports has always been high, but I don’t know that it’s ever been as high as what it is right now. It’s something great to be a part of.” Knaus said in the post-race interview. But for Larson, his Kansas domination wasn’t just about the team victory but also conquering a personal milestone.

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The Prestigious 10,000-Lap-Led Club and Larson’s Kansas Legacy

Larson’s 10,000 laps-led milestone puts him in some seriously awesome company, and his latest Kansas win tied him with a NASCAR legend. “Yeah to tie Dale Jarrett and as you said, I have led the most laps here at Kansas Speedway, that’s pretty unreal, really cool, I just love this track and love coming here with a great car,” Larson said. This third Kansas win tied him with NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett for 29th on the all-time Cup Series wins list with 32 victories. Larson’s got a special connection with this 1.5-mile oval—it’s like his happy place, and with HMS giving him top-notch cars, he’s been able to lead more laps there than anyone ever. His love for Kansas shines through every time he races there, and tying Jarrett, a respected figure known for his three Daytona 500 wins and 1999 Cup championship, is a huge honor.

The 10,000-lap-led club includes active drivers like Kyle Busch, with 60 career wins and two championships, and Denny Hamlin, with 56 wins and a knack for staying up front. It also features legends like Ken Schrader, who led over 10,000 laps with four wins over a long career, and Mark Martin, a Hall of Famer with 40 wins and a reputation for always being in the mix. Jarrett also hit the 10,000-lap mark with his smart, steady driving, adding to his legacy as one of NASCAR’s greats. Larson’s thrilled to be mentioned alongside these names, knowing how much they’ve shaped the sport.

What makes Larson’s milestone extra special is how fast he got there—362 starts, way quicker than Busch, Hamlin, Schrader, Martin, or Jarrett. At just 32, with HMS cheering him on, he’s got plenty of time to make or break more NASCAR records.