“They Have a Little Bit More” – Jeff Gordon Reflects on HMS’ Struggle to Match Team Penske’s Speed at NASCAR Finale

“They Have a Little Bit More” – Jeff Gordon Reflects on HMS’ Struggle to Match Team Penske’s Speed at NASCAR Finale

The NASCAR Cup Series finale is always a spectacle of drama, skill, and performance, but in 2023, it was marked by an especially riveting storyline. For Hendrick Motorsports (HMS), one of the most dominant teams in NASCAR history, the championship battle highlighted a critical gap in speed compared to their rivals at Team Penske. Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup Series champion and now a prominent figure at HMS, reflected on the team’s struggles throughout the season and their inability to match Team Penske’s speed when it mattered most, particularly during the 2023 finale.

Setting the Stage: Hendrick Motorsports vs. Team Penske

The NASCAR Cup Series operates on a level where the smallest advantage can make the difference between a championship contender and a spectator. Teams like Hendrick Motorsports, which have long been at the top of the sport, understand that every year brings a fresh challenge—one that requires not just the right equipment, but the right strategy, driver lineup, and perhaps most importantly, speed. As the 2023 season wore on, it became increasingly apparent that one team seemed to have just a little bit more speed on the racetrack: Team Penske.

While HMS has always been a perennial powerhouse, its drivers—Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and Alex Bowman—were finding it difficult to keep pace with Team Penske, whose trio of drivers—Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Austin Cindric—excelled in key moments, particularly in speed at critical points of the season. Logano’s championship-caliber performances, coupled with Blaney’s consistent challenge at the front, made it clear that Penske had found something special in terms of their car setup, engineering, and overall approach.

Despite having a wealth of talent behind the wheel and a well-oiled organization, Hendrick Motorsports seemed to struggle to bridge the gap that Penske had established, particularly as they entered the final stretch of the season.

The Reflection: Jeff Gordon Weighs In

Jeff Gordon, who transitioned from a successful driving career to a leadership role at HMS, provided a candid assessment of the team’s position during the NASCAR finale. As a driver, Gordon was no stranger to battles with rival teams, and he understood how crucial speed was in determining success on the track. During a post-race interview, Gordon reflected on HMS’s challenges and noted that while the team had made strides throughout the season, they still couldn’t quite match the raw speed that Penske had consistently shown.

“Every year, it’s a battle to find that extra tenth of a second that separates the good teams from the great ones. This year, we felt like we had a solid package, but when we lined up against Penske, they had just a little bit more,” Gordon said. “It wasn’t a massive gap, but it was enough to make the difference on certain tracks, especially in the postseason when it counts the most. We were just chasing them all year.”

For Gordon, this was a difficult realization. Hendrick Motorsports had dominated NASCAR in the past with incredible drivers and cutting-edge technology, yet in 2023, it was clear that their competitors had found something that made them just a touch quicker.

The Science of Speed: What Set Penske Apart?

While Hendrick Motorsports is known for its innovative approach to car setups and engineering, Team Penske had worked tirelessly in 2023 to hone in on a combination of factors that gave them a performance edge. A variety of elements, including aerodynamics, tire management, and data-driven decision-making, played a role in Penske’s overall speed advantage.

1. Aerodynamics and Downforce:
Penske has been especially strong in their aerodynamic package, something that has become more important than ever with the shift to the Next Gen car in NASCAR. The aerodynamic efficiency of a car directly impacts its speed on the track, particularly on the larger, high-speed ovals. Penske’s engineers seemed to have dialed in their downforce settings better than many competitors, allowing their cars to maintain stability at high speeds while also optimizing their tire wear—a critical factor over long runs.

2. Tire Management:
One area where Team Penske seemed to excel was in tire management, especially on tracks where tire degradation played a pivotal role. Penske drivers, particularly Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano, displayed impressive skill in managing their tires over longer runs, ensuring they had optimal grip when it mattered most. For HMS, tire wear often posed a challenge, especially on intermediate tracks where staying out front required not just speed, but an ability to conserve tires and manage fuel mileage.

3. Data and Simulation:
Another key component to Penske’s speed advantage was their use of data and simulation technology. In NASCAR, data analytics has become an integral part of performance optimization, and Team Penske invested heavily in real-time telemetry and virtual simulation programs. These technologies allowed their team to fine-tune their setups and strategies with greater precision than ever before. Hendrick Motorsports, while certainly not lacking in data resources, appeared to be a step behind in this particular area.

4. Driver Feedback and Adaptability:
The adaptability of Penske’s drivers—particularly Joey Logano, a seasoned champion—also contributed to their speed. Logano has a unique ability to adjust his driving style to suit the conditions of a given race. His ability to feel out the nuances of tire wear, adjust his braking points, and modify his throttle control helped Penske extract performance where others were struggling.

The Challenges for Hendrick Motorsports

For Hendrick Motorsports, 2023 was a year of mixed results. While they remained a top contender, consistently placing drivers in the playoffs and often near the front of the pack, the team couldn’t help but feel they were playing catch-up. There were moments when the speed of their cars was undeniable, but it was never quite enough to overtake Penske when it mattered most.

1. Inconsistency in Speed:
While Hendrick Motorsports had multiple wins across the season, the inconsistency of their speed during key moments, particularly in the playoffs, left them vulnerable. Tracks like Charlotte, Darlington, and Phoenix—which had been historically strong for HMS—showed chinks in their armor, and the dominant performance that fans expected from the team just wasn’t there on race day. The relentless pace set by Penske drivers often put HMS in a defensive position, with little room to mount a charge.

2. Evolving Competition:
The NASCAR Cup Series is a sport in constant evolution, and in 2023, it was clear that competition was fiercer than ever. While Penske was perhaps the most noticeable rival, other teams like Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) and Trackhouse Racing also made significant strides, making it harder for HMS to maintain the kind of dominance they once enjoyed. In such a competitive environment, any gap in speed becomes amplified, and HMS found itself fighting not just Penske, but an entire field of capable competitors.

3. Pit Strategy and Execution:
Throughout the season, Hendrick Motorsports faced challenges in pit road execution and strategy, particularly in races where track position was critical. Pit stops, tire changes, and fuel strategy all played pivotal roles in determining the outcomes of races, and HMS occasionally lost ground due to mistakes or suboptimal decisions. Although the team had some of the best crew chiefs in the business, the precision needed to outpace Penske at every turn sometimes eluded them.

Jeff Gordon’s Vision for the Future

Despite the struggles in 2023, Jeff Gordon remains optimistic about Hendrick Motorsports’ future. As an executive at HMS, Gordon is deeply involved in the team’s long-term strategy and development. While the team was clearly disappointed with its inability to match Penske’s speed in the finale, Gordon’s perspective is forward-focused, understanding that NASCAR’s landscape is always shifting.

“We know where we need to improve,” Gordon said. “Team Penske has set a benchmark, and we’re working every day to get closer to them. It’s not just about the car—though that’s a huge part of it—it’s about our people, our processes, and our approach to the entire season. We’ve got the talent, the resources, and the leadership to get there. It’s just a matter of time.”

Gordon also highlighted the importance of the development pipeline at Hendrick Motorsports. The team’s young drivers, particularly William Byron and Kyle Larson, continue to show immense potential. With the right development and consistency, Gordon believes HMS can once again return to the front of the pack and give Penske a serious challenge for the championship in the years to come.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Hendrick Motorsports

As the NASCAR Cup Series heads into the 2024 season, the rivalry between Hendrick Motorsports and Team Penske is poised to continue. While Penske has emerged as the dominant force in 2023, the landscape of NASCAR is ever-changing, and Hendrick Motorsports, under the leadership of figures like Jeff Gordon, is determined to close the performance gap.

“They have a little bit more,” Gordon acknowledged, reflecting on the season’s challenges. But with the combination of top-tier drivers, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to innovation, Hendrick Motorsports is poised to mount a challenge that could shake up the NASCAR hierarchy in the coming years.

The 2023 season may have been a reminder that speed is everything, but it also reinforced the fact that in NASCAR, no advantage lasts forever. With a renewed focus on what went wrong and a clear path forward, Hendrick Motorsports is already gearing up for the next chapter in its storied history.