“Most important thing is the results on Sunday in the Cup Series,” Rick Hendrick weighs in on his driver’s non-NASCAR exploits

The latest clarification of policies by HMS is the by-product of Alex Bowman’s injury.

“Most important thing is the results on Sunday in the Cup Series,” Rick Hendrick weighs in on his driver’s non-NASCAR exploits

Alex Bowman, William Byron, Rick Hendrick, Kyle Larson, and Chase Elliott (left to right)

The 2023 season has brought a bag of mixed emotions to Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick. His drivers have been among the most consistent performers this season, winning 4 of the ten races. But injuries are hindering their drivers and owners’ championship hopes. It also partially hurts their business deals as well.

The team’s star driver, the 2020 Cup champion, Chase Elliott, missed six races after the first two due to a tibia injury he suffered while snowboarding; he returned to the series for Bristol after six races on the side-lines. Now the team has new concerns in the form of the No:48 Chevy driver Alex Bowman. He will miss a minimum of three races due to a fractured vertebra.

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The Bowman incident prompted the calls for limiting Cup drivers’ exploits outside the premier divisions.  Now HMS President and GM Jeff Andrews, representing the team owner, have come forward to express their thoughts on the demands from a small group of fans. They pointed out that Mr. Hendrick has no plans to limit his drivers and reminded them that the Cup result from Sunday is the most important for the team.

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“The message from Mr. Hendrick is that — I don’t want to stop those things but be careful. Understand what the most important thing is, and the most important thing for Hendrick Motorsports is the results here on Sunday. So we’ll always keep that at the top of the list,” Andrews said.

“Again, we may take a look at this. If this happens again, we’ll have to. But for right now, there’s not going to be any changes to our policy, other than just be aware. The most important thing is the results on Sunday in the Cup Series,” Andrews added.

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Josh Berry is the only winner of the injuries

Josh Berry
Josh Berry

JR Motorsports Xfinity driver Josh Berry will replace Bowman in the No:48. He drove the No:9 on five races while Elliott was out. While it’s unfortunate that Berry is getting a Cup opportunity because the drivers are injured, at the same time, it has provided him with the best chance to prove his worth. The veteran diver did that with his impressive time in NO:9, which included a P2, and the time in No. 48 might help him to lock in a cup seat for 2024. \

“Statistically, [Berry is] probably the best guy here. He’s only had a handful of races, but I don’t know that he’s finished worse than second here. Certainly, the easiest fit to plug in. He’s got a handful of Cup races, and we’re going to take the approach this week to let him get comfortable and get up to speed,” Andrews said on Berry driving in Dover.

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