What Has Happened to Hendrick Motorsports? Our Winners, Losers from Watkins Glen Race
The NASCAR Cup Series descended upon the hallowed pavement of Watkins Glen International for the Go Bowling at the Glen, and what unfolded on Sunday was nothing short of a masterclass in road course racing—and a stark reality check for one of the sport’s most dominant dynasties. While the headlines will rightfully belong to Shane van Gisbergen’s breathtaking comeback victory, the race also raised a burning question that has fans and pundits scratching their helmets: What has happened to Hendrick Motorsports?
The organization that has won 14 Cup Series championships and was a perennial powerhouse on road courses looked uncharacteristically mortal. Meanwhile, the Trackhouse Racing phenom, van Gisbergen, reminded everyone why he is the undisputed king of right turns. Let’s break down the winners, the losers, and the underlying story from one of the most dramatic races of the season.
The King of the Glen: Shane van Gisbergen’s Unreal Comeback
Let’s start with the obvious winner. Shane van Gisbergen didn’t just win the Go Bowling at the Glen; he absolutely demolished the field. Starting from deep in the pack after a strategic late-race pit stop, the New Zealander put on a clinic in speed and tire management. He was a staggering 29.2 seconds behind the leader with just 18 laps remaining. Most drivers would have settled for a top-10 finish. SVG? He drove through the field like a hot knife through butter, passing Ty Gibbs for the lead with only seven laps to go and then pulling away to win by more than seven seconds.
This victory cements his legacy as a road course specialist in NASCAR. He has now won six of the last eight road course and street races over the past two years. His only blemish this season? A second-place finish at Circuit of the Americas (COTA). The raw data speaks volumes:
- Win margin: 7.2 seconds
- Time deficit overcome: 29.2 seconds in 18 laps
- Road course wins (last 8 races): 6
- 2025 road course record: 1st at Watkins Glen, 2nd at COTA
Van Gisbergen’s ability to save his tires while maintaining blistering lap times is a skill few in the Cup Series possess. He is no longer just a “road course ringer”; he is a legitimate championship threat on any track that turns left and right. His victory at the Glen was a statement: the king is not abdicating his throne anytime soon.
Winners: The Surprises and the Resurgent
Beyond van Gisbergen’s dominance, several drivers and teams left Watkins Glen with their heads held high.
Ty Gibbs (Runner-Up): The young Joe Gibbs Racing driver led a race-high number of laps and looked poised for his first Cup win. While he faded in the final laps, holding off a charging SVG for as long as he did shows immense maturity. Gibbs is no longer just a raw talent; he is a contender. Expect him to be a factor in the playoffs.
Trackhouse Racing (Team Win): This organization is building a culture of road course excellence. From van Gisbergen’s win to Daniel Suárez’s consistent top-10 finishes, Trackhouse has cracked the code on these technical circuits. Their pit strategy and car setup were flawless at the Glen.
Ross Chastain (Top-5 Finish): The “Melon Man” continues to prove he can be fast without being destructive. A quiet, solid top-five run at Watkins Glen keeps him firmly in the playoff conversation. His aggression was channeled perfectly, avoiding the chaos that often engulfs the field.
Michael McDowell (Underdog Hero): The Front Row Motorsports veteran finished inside the top 10, reminding everyone that road courses are the great equalizer. McDowell’s experience and smooth driving style are a perfect match for tracks like the Glen.
Losers: Hendrick Motorsports and the Big Three That Faded
Now, the uncomfortable part of the analysis. What has happened to Hendrick Motorsports? The team that won five of the last seven Cup Series championships looked lost at Watkins Glen. Let’s break down the struggles of the “Big Three” within the organization.
Kyle Larson: The 2021 champion and often considered the best all-around driver in the sport, Larson finished outside the top 10. He struggled with rear grip all day and never mounted a serious challenge. For a driver who has won at Sonoma, the Glen, and the Charlotte Roval, this was a bafflingly off day. The No. 5 team looked like they were fighting the car, not driving it.
Chase Elliott: The fan favorite and “People’s Champion” had an even rougher afternoon. Elliott, a two-time Watkins Glen winner, was mired in traffic and never showed the speed that once made him the king of road courses. A mid-race spin dropped him even further back. The No. 9 team’s lack of raw pace is alarming. They are missing the “NASCAR 25” magic that defined their road course dominance.
William Byron: The current points leader and winner of four races this season was invisible. Byron, who has improved immensely on road courses, simply didn’t have the speed to run with the top five. He finished in the teens, a result that feels like a loss for a driver of his caliber.
Why the slump? The answer likely lies in the Next Gen car’s evolution. Hendrick Motorsports built their dynasty on a specific suspension and tire setup philosophy. As teams like Trackhouse and Joe Gibbs Racing have closed the gap—and in some cases, surpassed them—on road courses, Hendrick appears to be playing catch-up. Their drivers are talented enough to win anywhere, but the engineering and strategy at Watkins Glen were a step behind. The loss of key technical personnel in recent years and the rise of simulator-centric setups may be exposing a weakness that was previously masked by driver talent.
Predictions: What This Means for the Playoffs
Watkins Glen is a critical data point for the NASCAR playoffs, which will feature road courses like the Charlotte Roval. Here are three bold predictions based on Sunday’s action:
1. Shane van Gisbergen is the Road Course Playoff Favorite. If the playoffs include a road course elimination race, SVG is the clear favorite. He is not just winning; he is dominating. Trackhouse Racing will build their entire playoff strategy around getting him to the Round of 8.
2. Hendrick Motorsports Will Panic (and Fix It). Rick Hendrick does not tolerate mediocrity. Expect major organizational meetings this week. The team will likely test heavily before the next road course event. However, the damage is done. They have lost the psychological edge on these tracks. I predict they will win a road course race in the playoffs, but it will be a fight, not a given.
3. Ty Gibbs Will Win a Race Before the Playoffs End. The runner-up finish at the Glen was no fluke. Gibbs has the speed, the aggression, and now the maturity to close out a win. He is the most likely first-time winner in the next five races.
4. The “Big Three” Era is Over. For years, it was Larson, Elliott, and Byron dominating. Now, the power has shifted. Joe Gibbs Racing (Gibbs, Christopher Bell) and Trackhouse (SVG, Suárez) have equal or better road course programs. Hendrick’s “Big Three” is now the “Big Three Among the Also-Rans” on road courses.
Final Conclusion: A Changing of the Guard
The Go Bowling at the Glen was more than just a race; it was a statement. Shane van Gisbergen is the present and future of road course racing in the NASCAR Cup Series. His ability to erase a 29-second deficit and win by seven seconds is the stuff of legend. It was a performance that will be replayed for years.
But the larger story is the decline of Hendrick Motorsports on road courses. For a team that prides itself on excellence at every track type, being an afterthought at Watkins Glen is a red flag. The organization is not broken—they are still championship contenders on ovals—but their road course program has been outclassed.
As the season barrels toward the playoffs, one thing is clear: the king of the road has a crown, and it sits firmly on Shane van Gisbergen’s head. Hendrick Motorsports, meanwhile, has some serious soul-searching to do. The question isn’t just what happened at Watkins Glen. The question is: can they fix it before the next right turn?
Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.
