In a stunning development just minutes ago, Rick Hendrick, the legendary owner of Hendrick Motorsports, has publicly addressed swirling rumors surrounding star driver Kyle Larson’s future with the team following unsubstantiated accusations of cheating during the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. The announcement comes on the heels of Larson’s triumphant championship victory at Phoenix Raceway earlier this month, capping a dominant year for the No. 5 Chevrolet team.

“We have decided,” Hendrick declared in an exclusive interview with NASCAR insiders, his voice steady but firm. “Kyle Larson is the cornerstone of this organization. He’s not going anywhere. These baseless accusations are nothing more than noise from the competition trying to undermine what we’ve built through hard work, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the rules.”

The controversy erupted earlier this year when whispers of “unapproved modifications” surfaced after Hendrick Motorsports’ strong mid-season surge. Critics pointed to the team’s four-car lineup – featuring Larson, William Byron, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman – dominating intermediate tracks, echoing a 2023 penalty for hood louver tweaks that cost the team $550,000 in fines and crew chief suspensions. Social media erupted with claims that Hendrick was once again “pushing the gray areas,” a nod to a infamous 2019 quip by Larson himself (then with Chip Ganassi Racing) joking that the team “starts the year bad to show they’re following rules, then starts cheating and finding speed.” Larson quickly apologized for that remark, but it has haunted the narrative ever since.

Despite the noise, 2025 proved to be a redemption arc for Hendrick Motorsports. Larson, the 33-year-old dirt-track prodigy turned Cup Series sensation, clinched his second championship on November 2 at Phoenix, edging out Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin in a frantic overtime finish. The win marked Hendrick’s 14th owner’s title and solidified Larson’s status as a multi-time champion, with victories at Bristol, the Brickyard 400, and the Charlotte Roval highlighting his versatility.

Hendrick, speaking from the team’s state-of-the-art Charlotte headquarters, didn’t mince words about the cheating allegations. “We’ve invested in facilities and partnerships – including a groundbreaking collaboration with a $31 billion tech giant – to stay ahead legally and ethically,” he said. “NASCAR’s inspections are rigorous, and we’ve passed every one with flying colors. Accusations like these? They’re desperate attempts to distract from our success.”

Larson, who joined Hendrick full-time in 2021 after his infamous suspension, echoed his boss’s sentiments in a post-interview statement. “I’ve got fire left in me for years to come,” Larson said, alluding to Hendrick’s own recent vow to charge into 2026. “Winning the title with this team, especially after the adversity we’ve faced, means everything. My family’s thrilled – Owen and Audrey couldn’t stop jumping around when we got home.”

The championship wasn’t without drama. Hendrick admitted post-race that he nearly conceded to Hamlin during a chaotic restart, only for Larson’s crew to summon “just enough” in the final laps. The team also navigated heartbreaking losses, including the death of longtime PR manager Jon Edwards and tire woes at Bristol’s Night Race, where Larson finished 32nd amid Goodyear’s experimental compound debacle.

As the offseason looms, Hendrick’s “decision” quells immediate speculation but raises questions about NASCAR’s enforcement amid escalating team budgets. Will the sanctioning body tighten rules further? For now, Larson remains locked in, with rumors of an IndyCar double-attempt in 2026 already buzzing.

Hendrick wrapped his remarks with characteristic optimism: “We’re not done. 2026 starts now.”