Numbers, rankings, and trophies are not all that the win comes with. In the case of Kyle Larson, winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway was more than just a thing. It was never simply about doing something fast, as it was about legacy, remembering and that connection that was so strong that it glues Hendrick Motorsports.
Over the radio after the race, Daniels delivered a message that summed up the moment. “This is for you, Mr H,” he said. “For you and all the teammates of (Hendrick Motorsports) from all those years ago. Excellent job. Great team, great job today.”
Kyle Larson Feels the Weight of History
Larson himself acknowledged that this race was about more than his personal success.
“I didn’t meet Ricky or the other men and women who lost their lives that day,” Larson reflected after the win. “But I felt the importance of this race. So crazy how it all worked out for me to win. So again, thank you, Rick Hendrick. I know this means a lot to you, and I’m glad I could get it done.”
Larson’s words underscored the emotional bond that runs through the organization. Ricky Hendrick, the son of team owner Rick Hendrick, tragically died in a 2004 plane crash along with nine others. That loss still resonates with everyone connected to the team, making any tribute in his honor deeply meaningful.
The Power of a Paint Scheme
For Rick Hendrick, even the look of the car carried special significance. Earlier in the season, when Kyle Larson claimed his first win for the team at Las Vegas, the iconic paint scheme made the victory even more powerful.
“I love those colors,” Hendrick told HendrickMotorsports.com. “When we (Hendrick Automotive Group) were going to be on the car, I mean, I wanted to run that paint scheme with that number. That meant a ton to me (when Larson won) and to my family to honor our son. I love the paint scheme, anyway. But Kyle made us proud.”
For fans, the paint scheme may look like another sponsor detail, but for Hendrick and his family, it’s a rolling tribute, an ever-present reminder of Ricky’s legacy.
A Speechless Moment
Lance McGrew, Ricky Hendrick’s former crew chief, recalled a moment that showed just how much the tribute meant.
“I’d been around Mr. H for a couple of years before that, and that was the first time he couldn’t talk,” McGrew said to HendrickMotorsports.com. “He couldn’t even speak. That was the first time and only time I’ve ever seen him speechless. He was standing in victory lane with Mrs. H (Linda Hendrick), and he was wiping away tears because he was just so proud.”
That rare moment of silence said more than words ever could.
Victories like Kyle Larson’s remind us that racing isn’t just about speed; it’s about the people behind the wheel, the ones on the pit wall, and the families who endure the highs and lows together. For Hendrick Motorsports, each win carries with it a piece of history and a reminder of those who are no longer here.
Kyle Larson’s triumph may go in the record books, but for him and his family, it was something much greater: a tribute to Ricky, and a reminder that legacies live on every time a Hendrick car crosses the finish line.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Rick Hendrick Breaks Down After Kyle Larson Victory at Las Vegas appeared first on Heavy Sports.