NASCAR Insider Brad Gillie blames Hendrick Motorsports' slump for Kyle Larson’s winless drought

NASCAR insider Brad Gillie has pushed back hard against the growing narrative pinning Kyle Larson’s recent struggles solely on the driver. Instead, he pointed the finger at a broader “team slump” at Hendrick Motorsports.

As the one-year anniversary of Larson’s last Cup Series victory passed, questions about the defending champion’s form have intensified. But Gillie argues it’s not just the #5 car. Hendrick’s organization as a whole is off its game.

It’s been exactly one year since Kyle Larson last visited Victory Lane in the NASCAR Cup Series. His most recent win came on May 11, 2025, at Kansas Speedway. Since then, the two-time champion has endured a 36-race winless streak heading into mid-May 2026. Larson sits eighth in the points standings after a frustrating 23rd-place finish at Watkins Glen International. That road-course race marked one of the low points for Hendrick Motorsports, with none of its four drivers cracking the top 20. This was the team’s worst road course performance since 2005.

The slump talk has grown louder this season. Larson has shown flashes of speed but lacks the consistent dominance that fans and analysts expect from the Hendrick powerhouse. Crew chief Cliff Daniels has emphasized the need for emotional stability amid the drought, while Larson himself acknowledges they’re “searching” for improvements without overreacting.

1. Why Brad Gillie Says It’s More Team Than Driver

On the latest episode of PRN Fast Talk, veteran NASCAR insider and co-host Brad Gillie delivered a strong defense of Larson. He compared the current criticism to what Jimmie Johnson faced years ago, reminding everyone that elite drivers don’t suddenly “forget how to drive.” “I heard all the same things that all of you said about Kyle Larson is Kyle Larson, and that’s just enough. I heard this five years ago with Jimmie Johnson. You think Jimmie Johnson forgot how to drive? You’re an idiot. Shut up, sit down. He’s going to win eight races in a row. I’m not putting Kyle Larson in that category, but I think there’s a driver’s slump and a team slump. I think this may be more of a team slump than a driver’s slump,” Brad Gillie said.

2. Kyle Petty Echoes Concerns of a “Double Slump”

Former driver and analyst Kyle Petty joined the discussion, describing the situation as a “double slump” involving both driver and team. He noted Larson’s form changed after his ambitious “Double” attempt last year, which combined NASCAR and IndyCar efforts at Indianapolis. “I think it’s a both slump because I don’t think Larson has shown back up, even though he won the championship… He just has not been the Kyle Larson post Indy last year that he has,” Kyle Petty said. Larson’s championship run showed resilience, but the post-Indy dip has been noticeable. While Larson holds a respectable eighth in points, the team’s results at certain tracks have raised eyebrows. Watkins Glen exposed vulnerabilities on road courses, a discipline where Hendrick has traditionally excelled. Teammate Chase Elliott has enjoyed a stronger start in the No. 9 car, offering a bright spot. Larson himself pointed this out, noting that while one car finds consistency, others remain “kind of off.” This uneven performance across the organization supports Gillie’s team-slump theory. Larson has led laps and contended at times, but execution has fallen short. His average finish remains competitive league-wide, yet the lack of wins after dominating stretches in previous seasons fuels the storyline. The new Chevrolet body style introduced this season has also forced teams to adapt, with varying degrees of success. In press conferences, Larson has stayed measured. He admits the winless streak is obvious, but insists the team is working hard without panicking. “We just haven’t been good enough,” he said after Watkins Glen. “Sometimes we’re really close to getting a win. And then at other times, we’re far from it. It just shows how tough this series is.” Crew chief Cliff Daniels reinforced this mindset: “We can’t get emotional, get sad.” That stoic approach has served champions well before, but the clock is ticking in a regular season where top-5 positioning by season’s end becomes critical for playoff seeding and championship contention. Great drivers endure these periods. As Gillie referenced, Jimmie Johnson faced similar doubts during his legendary career. Larson’s own path includes multiple championships and versatility across series. A winless streak of this length stings, especially for a talent known for making the sport look easy at times. Yet NASCAR’s parity makes consistency harder than ever. Track-specific setups, competition from JCR and Trackhouse, and the schedule all play roles. Hendrick’s investment in resources remains unmatched, suggesting the tools for a turnaround exist.

3. What This Means for Larson and HMS Moving Forward

The debate Gillie ignited matters because it influences how the team approaches fixes. The next stretch of the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule offers a chance at redemption. With several races remaining before the playoffs intensify, HMS needs to find speed consistently across different track types. Larson and his team have repeatedly shown they can elevate when it counts. If Gillie is right and this is primarily a team slump, a few strong finishes could quickly shift the narrative back to dominance. Hendrick’s history suggests they don’t stay down long. For now, the focus remains on execution. As Larson put it, they’re fighting to make the sport look easy again. Whether it’s more driver magic or an organizational reset, NASCAR observers will be watching closely.

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