Kyle Larson WILL NOT Leave Hendrick Motorsports After 2026
Kauy Ostlien
February 11, 2026
What’s Happening?
Reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson has signed a five-year deal to remain at Hendrick Motorsports through the 2031 season, ending a potential free agent saga that never had a chance to begin.
- Larson is one of the many drivers who entered the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season on a contract year, still working off his extension signed with Hendrick Motorsports in 2022. This new deal confirms that Larson will not hit the free agent market in the coming year, alongside his championship-winning Cre Chief Cliff Daniels.
- Of course, even with his contract coming to an end, most expected Larson to return to Hendrick Motorsports no matter what. As a top driver and what is arguably NASCAR’s top team, Larson is a two-time champion and HMS’ winningest driver in the Next Gen era.
- Though Larson may be off the board, another name still facing uncertainty at HMS is Alex Bowman. Initially, Bowman was reported to be under contract until 2027, but a recent report from Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports confirmed that Bowman is a free agent at year’s end.
- There will be a lot of options for HMS should they choose to move on from Bowman, though; he is a somewhat safe bet to stick around. Alongside options like prospect Corey Day, who is set to race in his first full-time NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season this year, major names like Tyler Reddick are set to be free agents at the end of the year.
Every NASCAR Cup Series Driver’s Current Contract Status in 2026
What’s Happening? NASCAR drivers, much like any athletes, have a period of free agency and multi-million dollar contracts. Based on information…
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