Rick Hendrick wanted to stay neutral at Phoenix

AVONDALE, Ariz. — NASCAR Cup Series championship winning team owner Rick Hendrick wanted to stay as neutral possible in regards to two of his four teams racing for the series’ championship at Phoenix Raceway earlier this month.

In fact, Hendrick’s reaction to the final lap was captured by Hendrick Motorsports’ social media team.

“I stayed out of the way and went to the 48 box (of Alex Bowman),” Hendrick said to The Racing Experts.

“I told our guys, ‘I’ve been through this before with Jeff and Jimmie, I’ve been through it with Terry Labonte and Jeff.’ They’re racing each other for the championship.

“I said, ‘Look, I’m going to the guy to finish the second first, I want you to know it, and then I’ll go celebrate with you.’ I didn’t want the crew seeing me going down and celebrating and they just lost.”

Mr. Hendrick’s reaction to the championship-winning lap! pic.twitter.com/0SSqZ0tf7B

— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) November 3, 2025

Hendrick compared sitting on the No. 48 pit box like a “neutral zone” to see his “multiple children” — the championship contenders of William Byron and Kyle Larson — playing against each other.

“No, it’s important to our organization to show that we’re impartial,” Hendrick said. “We want to give them everything we have.”