Hendrick Motorsports isn’t just another NASCAR team. It’s the powerhouse that’s defined dominance for decades. From Jeff Gordon rewriting the record books to Jimmie Johnson’s historic seven titles and Chase Elliott becoming the modern-day face of the sport, HMS has always been the gold standard in the NASCAR Playoffs.

Fans are used to seeing those iconic Chevrolets up front, racking up wins, and turning the playoffs into their personal playground. But lately in the NASCAR playoffs, something feels… off. The swagger isn’t quite there, the consistency seems shaky, and suddenly, the “untouchable” team looks a little more human. And when Hendrick stumbles, you can bet NASCAR fans notice. And they’ve plenty to say about it.

Hendrick Motorsports’ NASCAR playoffs slump

Hendrick Motorsports entered the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs with high expectations, fielding all four of its powerhouse entries – Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman. Yet, the opening round has been marred by inconsistency and frustrating near-misses, casting a shadow over the organization’s title hopes.

Larson and Byron advanced to the Round of 12 tied for second in points. But neither has looked untouchable since a blazing spring, with Larson especially battling through a midseason slump marked by lackluster finishes and limited laps led. Alex Bowman, once a steady force at Bristol and other key tracks, found himself forced to gamble on strategy after running out of new tires.

This limited his charge in the closing laps to an eighth-place finish, not enough to escape elimination. Meanwhile, Chase Elliott survived to see another playoff round. But his postseason so far has included two DNFs and inconsistent qualifying, leaving him just above the cutline (+5) and searching for momentum.

The team’s struggles are highlighted by season-long issues. These include missing out on stage points, failing to convert top-five speed into wins, and vulnerable tire and setup calls at crucial moments. Overall, Hendrick’s storied operation is still alive in the title hunt, but the collective firepower has yet to fully ignite. Amid this NASCAR playoff slump, fans have grown vocal on social media and at the track.

They are doing everything from debating team strategy, questioning decision-making, to searching for signs of hope. As Hendrick’s postseason path grows rockier, reactions from its passionate base set the stage for a closer look at the growing sense of urgency and expectation heading into the next round.

Fan frustrations and theories behind Hendrick’s playoff stumbles

One fan commented, “They started off the season hot, but it seems they’ve either really slowed down or the rest of the field has caught up, notably JGR.” Early in the season, Hendrick Motorsports fired on all cylinders. Byron dominated with back-to-back Daytona 500 victories and led the regular season standings for 19 weeks. On the other hand, Larson notched three wins and consistently ran up front on short tracks.

However, as the playoffs approached, the field, especially Joe Gibbs Racing, closed the gap with superior execution and late-season speed. Where Byron once turned track dominance into trophies, JGR’s precision in setup and strategy started winning out, pushing Hendrick’s stars down the running order.

Fans maintain, “They won the regular season championship, and they are constantly near the front, they are fine.” Statistically, Byron led all drivers with the highest average running position and won the regular season championship. Yet their NASCAR playoff consistency has lagged. Larson’s midseason slump, missed stage points, and incidents like Elliott’s DNFs show the difference between contending and closing.

A frequent refrain in fan spaces was: “I’d imagine team cohesion isn’t really there, especially among drivers. Who’s the leader, steering the meetings?” Unlike teams with a galvanizing voice, such as Denny Hamlin at JGR or Brad Keselowski at RFK, Hendrick’s four stars seem mostly independent, respectful, but lacking that one veteran who rallies or challenges the others. Hendrick Motorsports has a team dynamic where mutual respect hasn’t translated into unified performance.

As for leadership, some fans turn to the front office. “Jeff Gordon is a great driver, but not necessarily a great leader or manager.” Since Gordon moved into a leadership role, Hendrick has excelled in continuity. However, Gordon faces questions about whether his famously competitive style translates to personnel management and motivation.

Lastly, a special concern remains with the No. 9 camp. “The 9 team and driver have been off ever since Chase broke his leg.” As you might remember, Elliott suffered a fractured tibia while snowboarding in Colorado in 2023. His return, since, has yielded some consistency and a few deep runs. However, both car and driver have lacked that extra edge, leaving them trailing.

Fan scrutiny is mounting as playoff intensity rises. A chorus of opinions dissect every race, team meeting, and leadership call, eager to see if Hendrick can turn criticism into fuel for a deeper run. What do you think about the Hendrick NASCAR playoff situation? Do let us know in the comments.