"The numbers didn't lie": Jeff Gordon discloses Rick Hendrick‘s drastic mindset change about Kyle Larson's 'didn't end well' Indy-Charlotte attempt
Jeff Gordon has unfolded Rick Hendrick's stark mindset change, which happened nearly a month after his HMS driver Kyle Larson's failed Indy-Charlotte Double attempt. The billionaire team owner suffered a blow from his #5 Chevy driver's Double Duty affair, and the following scrutiny prompted the team to focus more on the Coca-Cola 600 race.
In May this year, Larson debuted at the Indy-Charlotte Double but suffered setbacks in both disciplines.
He grabbed the lead in open-wheel racing with 21 laps remaining but his hopes were dashed after a required pitstop forfeited the domination savored by the IndyCar rookie. After wrapping up his run hours after the slated time, courtesy of Indiana's inclement weather, Larson flew to Charlotte Motor Speedway only to be disappointed.
Heavy downpours prompted the officials to red-flag the crown jewel race. Larson reached the Speedway and was about to replace Justin Allgaier in his #5 Chevy, but unfavorable weather canceled the race, and the HMS driver couldn't participate.
As a result, he was momentarily dropped from the playoffs as he missed the regular-season race. According to NASCAR, a driver has to participate in each regular season race for title fight eligibility. Nonetheless, Larson got a waiver and will now race at Martinsville Speedway to secure his Championship 4 ticket.
Moreover, from a financial standpoint, Kyle Larson's Indy 500 stint heavily benefitted Rick Hendrick. While conversing with Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon revealed what made Rick Hendrick and Co. change their mind from 'We're not ever doing this again' to finalizing their second Indy 500 attempt.
"I think HendrickCars and the Hendrick brand benefitted from it and some of our other partners that were part of it too and it was fun. It didn't end well because of what happened in Charlotte with the weather. I think immediately we were like, 'We're not ever doing this again,': Gordon said via Harvick Happy Hour (0:55).
"And then as we got about a month down the road...Rick put some real thought into it... Rick goes back to data and analytics and a lot of his team, the marketing group does as well. The numbers didn't lie, they were good. And plus, you didn't want to end a story like that," he added.
Kyle Larson's boss reportedly poured $3 million into his driver's Indy-Charlotte Memorial Double.
"Measured a three-to-one return": Rick Hendrick presents the lucrative financial stat of Kyle Larson's Indy 500 attempt
Not only did Rick Hendrick heavily sponsor Larson's Indy 500 race, but the billionaire owner also owned the open-wheel ride. The Hendrick Automotive Group's HendrickCars.com paid for the versatile NASCAR driver's debut and will do the same in the 2025 attempt.
Despite the unwanted turnaround at his maiden Double Duty attempt, Larson's open-wheel racing stint paid off massively for the Hendrick Motorsports owner. Nearly four months after Larson's failed Memorial Day Double shot, Rick Hendrick pointed out the big financial gain, as the driver's confirmed return to the Indy500 surfaced.
“Kyle had a great month of May and showed what a gifted race car driver he is. From a sponsorship perspective, we saw an incredible lift for HendrickCars.com and measured a three-to-one return on our investment," Hendrick said via HMS' release.
Notably, Hendrick's driver's Indy 500 debut didn't go unnoticed. He earned the Rookie of The Year honor, courtesy of his rookie record qualifying time of 233.43 mph.