CONCORD, N.C. – For a good portion of the season, three teams at Hendrick Motorsports have been fighting tooth and nail atop the NASCAR Cup Series points standings, locked in a battle for 15 pivotal playoff points and of course, a trophy. 

Filling out the top three spots as recently as last week and entering this Saturday’s penultimate regular season event at Richmond Raceway in first, second and fourth respectively, William Byron, Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson have remained among the stiffest competition for each other. 

Yet, to walk around the Concord, North Carolina-based campus, one would never know a championship clash is being waged. And that’s just how Hendrick Motorsports vice president of competition Chad Knaus would prefer it. 

“If you’re playing basketball in the driveway with your sibling, you want to beat your sibling, but as soon as someone from down the block comes down, you want to make sure you beat that kid,” Knaus explained to HendrickMotorsports.com last week. “That’s the way we want to approach it every single time. We have to think of the greater good of Hendrick Motorsports and what it is we can do collectively.” 

Certainly, over the course of a 24-race sample size, the organization’s four teams have put themselves in prime positions. Rounding out the contingent is the No. 48 Ally Chevy team with driver Alex Bowman ninth in points and 60 markers above the playoff cutline. 

For the other three, those 15 points remain the carrot to chase and that shared goal would seem to potentially put crew chiefs in a seemingly awkward position. Would it not be human nature to keep a crucial setup note or an air pressure discovery a little closer to the vest come title-winning time?

Well, not at Hendrick Motorsports, it appears. And Knaus would be happy to know that to a man, all three crew chiefs toed, embraced and touted the company line when asked about any potential conflicts of interest. 

“I like racing these guys. We work together all the way through and we let the execution and the drivers and the pit crews at the track, we let those chips fall where they may,” said Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 team. “But we work together. We don’t hide anything from each other. We try to make each other better because we all want somebody in house to win everything every week.”

“The strength of our company is what unites us,” added Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 squad, about the points race. “At the end of the day, if we can get all four cars to finish in the top four of every single race, then that’s the first goal. Then where we sit within that, of course everybody has their own desires within that. But from my perspective, I value Rudy’s input, I value (No. 9 crew chief Alan Gustafson’s) input too, so to let any of our own competition get in the way of what could be good communication or helping each other build a strategy or build setups or other development items that we have, I think that would just be a distraction and a waste of time.

“As I walk around this place, I have zero consideration of the points battle amongst us other than I want all of us to score as many points as possible.” 

This past Sunday at Watkins Glen International, it was the No. 24 team leading the way in terms of points, using a fourth-place finish to separate itself a bit from the No. 9. Byron will head to Richmond 42 points in front of Elliott. Larson is now 85 back and in need of some massive swings the final two weeks. 

For the No. 24 squad, its perch at the top is getting quite familiar as Byron leads the standings for the 19th week so far in 2025. And as the regular season championship is a measure of excellence over an extended period of time, Daniels said remembering that when looking at the pecking order is an important measure of self-evaluation. 

“Of course, everyone wants as many points as they can possibly get but at some point you’ve got to come to grips with reality,” Daniels said. “The 9 has been the most consistent car in the field in terms of finishes all year long. The 24 has had better qualifying results than us that has given them a little more stage points along the way and we’ve been capable of some really good runs that we’ve been taken out of.”

Interestingly enough, now in his 21st season atop a pit box at Hendrick Motorsports, this is hardly Gustafson’s first foray into competing with teammates for wins and titles. 

Perhaps the most glaring example came in 2009. Jimmie Johnson won his fourth of five-straight Cup Series championships. In doing so, he had to best teammates Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon, who finished the season second and third respectively. 

Knaus was the crew chief of Johnson’s No. 48 team while Gustafson was guiding the No. 5 squad, then anchored by Martin. Both noted the evolution and advancement of teamwork and cooperation over the last 16 years. 

“I think we’re much better. We’ve refined the process much more. It’s much more natural and the teams collaborate a lot more than we used to and I think it’s so much a part of our everyday life that it’s not really a consideration,” Gustafson said. “It’s nice to work with guys – not only crew chiefs but team members – the majority of people have been in this environment for a while and we all genuinely like and respect each other and it just makes it fun and easy. It’s nice to be around people you enjoy being around. I think we’ve gotten to a point with that culture that if you don’t, you’re going to be the anomaly and the one that stands out.” 

“The reality is … it’s growing every single day. To say back then we were sharing everything would be an untruth,” Knaus concluded. “As long as we’re communicating and we’re bought into the process and we understand what we’re trying to do, ultimately, we’re going to win out. We may not win every race, we may not win every championship but the company will win out as long as we’re doing that and that’s going to be, has been, and will always be our major focus is just that communication between everybody. None of us are as strong as all of us, none of us are as smart as all of us, none of us can do anything that all of us can achieve. We’re working really hard to make sure everybody understands that.” 

By the time the 400-mile race at Daytona is in the books next Saturday night, a regular season champion will have been crowned. Whether that’s Byron finishing it off, Elliott rallying late or Larson coming from way behind, the stakes will only be raised further once the postseason begins. 

Yet, the expectation of open sharing and the commitment to communication remain. And everyone involved believes the dividends will only be higher for all involved. 

“All of us understand that collectively we’re better and even if one of us was to hold something back or not share, that potentially could give you an advantage over the other three but you’re still going to be worse off than you would be if we all share openly,” Gustafson said. “I think that’s why you see what you see. Everybody is going through experiences and different things and that’s a lot more information, four times the information and data points and experiences that you can draw from. I think it’s important that you convey that experience accurately and that information accurately and your opinion on it and that’s what we do really well and it generates a lot of strength and collective intelligence for growth.”

“I don’t hide anything and I know those guys aren’t hiding from me,” Fugle said. “We work together better than ever in these high-stress situations. We want everybody at Hendrick to win a race, win the regular season championship, the season championship – that’s what we care about. We want to bring a trophy home to Mr. and Mrs. Hendrick and everybody at Hendrick Motorsports that put in all the hard work. We’re super competitive, but we can sit there and know we’re going to be way better working together because we’ve done it every single week. That’s how we’ve gotten here and there’s no need to stop now.” 

NASCAR TV schedule for Richmond

Friday, Aug. 15

• 2:05 p.m. – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice (FS2)
• 3:10 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series qualifying (FS1)
• 4:30 – Cup Series practice (truTV)
• 5:40 – Cup Series qualifying (truTV)
• 7:30 – CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race (FS1)

Saturday, Aug. 16

• 7:30 p.m. – Cup Series race (USA)

Connor Zilisch shared an update on Social Media on Tuesday on his broken collarbone, which he suffered in a fall in victory lane following a win in last Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen.

Zilisch says he underwent surgery on the collarbone, where a plate and screws were placed to aid the driver’s healing from the injury.

“Wanted to give everyone a quick update. Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process,” Zilisch said in the post on his personal X account. “Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”

LEGACY MOTOR CLUB announced the return of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety as a major primary sponsorship partner for John Hunter Nemechek and the No. 42 NASCAR Cup Series team for the 2026 season.

“We are thrilled to have Pye-Barker Fire & Safety renew for next season,” said Jimmie Johnson, majority owner of LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. “John Hunter [Nemechek] and the No. 42 team are great representatives of the brand, and our collective goal is to put Pye-Barker back in Victory Lane.”

Next year, Pye-Barker will serve as a 14-race primary sponsorship partner for Nemechek.

Cup Results: Practice | Qualifying | Race
Truck Results: Practice | Qualifying | Race
Entry Lists: Cup | Trucks

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NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch was still in the hospital on Tuesday as he recovered from a broken collarbone suffered in a fall in Victory Lane over the weekend.

He appeared to get a good laugh after he showed off an ironic wristband he received from nurses. The yellow band read, “Fall Risk.”

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Aug 9, 2025; Watkins Glen, New York, USA; NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch walks back to his car after winning the Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.  (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)

“The bracelet I got in the hospital this morning bc of anesthesia. Can’t make this stuff up,” he wrote in post on X.

Separately, he provided an update on how his recovery was going.

“Wanted to give everyone a quick update,” he wrote on X. “Had surgery on my collarbone this morning to get a plate and screws to help with the healing process. 

“Been a tough few days for me mentally, but all the love you guys have shown has certainly helped. Thank you.”

The tumble occurred following his sixth win of the 2025 season. This time, it was at Watkins Glen International in New York. He climbed onto the roof of his No. 88 to celebrate the win. He slipped after his left foot caught in the driver’s side window netting, and he tumbled onto the asphalt.

2025 NASCAR RICHMOND ENTRY LIST: ALL 39 DRIVERS FOR COOK OUT 400

After winning the Mission 200, Connor Zilisch, #88 JR Motorsports Registix Chevrolet, falls from his Registix Chevrolet and hits his head on landing in Victory lane at The Glen on Aug. 9, 2025, at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. (David Hahn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Zilisch was set to race in the NASCAR Cup Series on Sunday at Watkins Glen. Trackhouse Racing withdrew the No. 87 that he was set to compete in. His next Xfinity Series start is scheduled for August 22 at Daytona International Speedway.

He missed a race earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway after sustaining a back injury during a crash at Talladega Superspeedway. He’s recorded 11 consecutive top-five finishes and five wins since his return, and won four out of the last five races.

NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Connor Zilisch, #88, takes the checkered flag to win the Mission 200 at The Glen at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York, on Aug. 9, 2025. (Matthew O’Haren/Imagn Images)

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He’s currently seven points ahead of Justin Allgaier in the drivers’ standings. The 19-year-old has 12 top-five finishes and 14 top-10 finishes this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

DraftKings has secured exclusive sponsorship of Ty Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, featuring the brand’s logo prominently on the car and team apparel during two upcoming NASCAR events this season. This partnership signals a push for enhanced fan engagement through sports betting, aligning with Dillon’s commitment to improving viewer experiences. The collaboration highlights a shared vision between DraftKings and NASCAR, illustrated by their previous initiatives like the In-Season Challenge that captivated fans with head-to-head driver matchups.

By the Numbers

• DraftKings branding will be showcased on Dillon’s No. 10 Chevrolet during two races: Enjoy Illinois 300 and another at Kansas Speedway.
• Dillon finished second in the recent In-Season Challenge, overcoming being the No. 32 seed.

State of Play

• The partnership aims to elevate fan interaction with NASCAR through sports betting.
• Upcoming debut for DraftKings occurs during the Enjoy Illinois 300 race on September 7, 2025.

What’s Next

As the partnership unfolds, expect increased visibility of DraftKings in NASCAR, enhancing the betting landscape and fan connection to races. Future events may see more collaborative initiatives aimed at further engaging audiences.

Bottom Line

This collaboration represents a significant step in integrating sports betting with NASCAR, promising enriched viewer experiences and a potential shift in fan engagement strategies in motorsports.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, the full-service and fully integrated fire protection, life safety and security services provider, has extended its support of the team for the 2026 NASCAR season, an update that has been shared by Legacy Motor Club.

The renewed agreement builds upon a successful 2025 season and reflects the partners’ shared commitment to performance, reliability and safety.

Pye-Barker’s progression has earned it consecutive annual recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety will continue its presence on Legacy Motor Club’s No. 42 Toyota Camry of John Hunter Nemechek in the NASCAR Cup Series and will maintain its status as the Official Fire Safety Partner of the team.

The brand will also expand its involvement in hospitality, employee engagement programs and community outreach through the partnership. Pye-Barker will be the primary paint scheme on the No. 42 for 14 races in 2026.

Co-Owner, Legacy MC, Jimmie Johnson’s statement

Legacy MC Co-Owner Jimmie Johnson shared: “We are thrilled to have Pye-Barker Fire & Safety renew for next season.

“John Hunter and the No. 42 team are great representatives of the brand and our collective goal is to put Pye-Barker back in victory lane.”

CEO, Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, Bart Proctor’s statement

Bart Proctor, CEO of Pye-Barker Fire & Safety added: “This partnership with Legacy Motor Club reflects the same values that guide our business every day – putting people first and building lasting relationships built on trust.

“We look for partners who genuinely care about their people and their community. Legacy shares our commitment to excellence and appreciates the family culture that makes both our organizations successful.

“Together, we’re able to connect with our team members, customers and communities in ways that go far beyond business.”

The extended partnership includes expanded branding on team assets, enhanced activations at select NASCAR Cup Series events and continued collaboration on content, employee and safety initiatives.

Driver, No.42 Pye-Barker Toyota Camry, Nemecheck’s statement

Nemecheck, driver of the No.42 Pye-Barker Toyota Camry XSE shared: “Having Pye-Barker Fire & Safety back with us for another year is a huge win for our team.

“Their values of service, trust and care for their team and communities line up perfectly with what we’re building here.

“We’re looking forward to another year of growing together both on and off the track. I’m looking forward to representing them in 14 races next year and hopefully taking them to Victory Lane again.”

Support of 2026 NASCAR season extended by Pye-Barker: Summary

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety, has extended its support of the team for the 2026 NASCAR season, an update that has been shared by Legacy Motor Club.

The mere mention of the NASCAR playoffs is enough to get some fans’ blood boiling, and that has been the case since they were implemented in 2004 – or at the very least, since the modern “win and in”, 16-driver knockout format was introduced in 2014.

Fans believe that winning should not matter nearly as much as it does, and season-long points should count for a lot more than they do. There are certainly ways to make this happen while including some sort of postseason format, but nobody can seem to agree on what that is.

Additionally, NASCAR doesn’t seem to care, because having a champion who finished in 15th place in the regular season standings last year didn’t seem to faze them. Fair play, though; Joey Logano did what nobody else could, and he earned it, and NASCAR has basically written off the complaints, even if they did promise to assess this year’s playoffs for potential future consideration of changes.

In other words, nothing is going to happen. At least not yet.

But NASCAR fans better be careful what they wish for when it comes to a season-long points format.

As Beyond the Flag contributor Ryan McCafferty recently pointed out, NASCAR’s points structure is flawed. I’ve always maintained that stage points further screw things up, and they do; the winning driver can finish any given race 11th in total points scored, and the 16th place finisher can lead all drivers in points. It makes no sense.

But he essentially stated that a good finish should be more rewarding than a poor result is damaging, and right now, it isn’t.

That’s basically what IndyCar and Formula 1 have done so well at with their points structures. But in NASCAR, every position from P2 to P36 is worth a single extra point, with a win being worth five extra rather than one. Big deal.

What, exactly, does that mean in terms of what should alarm fans about the potential removal of the playoffs?

Ignoring stage points, points leader William Byron has scored 573 points so far this year. First of all, that’s only good for third in the series, not first. But I’m not here to talk about the nonsensical nature of stages and stage points for the umpteenth time. Everyone who watched NASCAR before 2017 already knows that.

Leading in total points (excluding stage points) is Chase Elliott, and he has scored 629 in 24 races. That’s good for an average of 26.2 points per race.

That’s roughly worth an 11th place finish. Byron is sitting at 23.9, which is roughly worth a 13th place finish.

As McCafferty states, “if the [playoffs] are to go, we cannot return to a world in which the champion can hide out in ninth place every week.”

It’s actually more like 11th, which makes matters even worse.

Is that really what NASCAR fans want?

You better believe that, if the format changes, the No. 22 team will be ready to pounce and make the new system work in their favor.

It’s why Logano, who has never once led the Cup Series in total points scored and never once led it in wins during any of his three championship seasons, keeps winning championships.

Right now, winning at specific times – even with terrible finishes the rest of the time – is what NASCAR rewards in the championship battle. He knows that, and so does his team, and they have unquestionably capitalized on that better than anybody else during this era.

If NASCAR suddenly starts rewarding drivers who show up to run 11th every week with championships, that’s exactly what teams, including Logano’s, are going to try to do.

And guess what? NASCAR fans are going to complain about that, too.

I’ve always said that you can make statistics show whatever you want them to. If Jimmie Johnson’s career best finish were 2.5 spots higher than it actually is (so 1,750 total spots over 700 races), it would be 11.0. And if he had finished there every race, he’d have fewer career top 10 finishes than Danica Patrick.

Instead, he’s a seven-time champion with 83 race wins, good for a sixth place tie on the all-time list.