For more than thirty years, Rick Hendrick and Joe Gibbs have defined what a NASCAR rivalry should look like. It’s fierce, competitive, and rooted in respect! Between Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, the two powerhouses have amassed a staggering 547 Cup Series victories, trading blows for championships, playoff glory, and generational talent. Their drivers, from Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson to Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch, have shaped the sport’s modern legacy through intense, unforgettable battles.

Yet, behind the noise of the engines and the chase for trophies, there’s something else. To give you guys a hint, it’s a quieter bond that fans rarely get to see. And as Jeff Gordon recently revealed, the Hendrick-Gibbs rivalry isn’t just about competition anymore. In fact, it’s evolved into something far deeper and surprisingly personal.

A quiet alliance built on trust and respect

The 2025 NASCAR Championship 4 features an intense battle between Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin and Chase Briscoe against Hendrick Motorsports’ Kyle Larson and William Byron. While their drivers race fiercely on the track, off it, the two team owners share a remarkable bond.

Jeff Gordon recently highlighted this relationship. “Mr. Hendrick and Coach Gibbs have an incredible relationship. They talk on a pretty regular basis. They don’t talk race, about what happened on Sunday, unless they’re congratulating one another on something. It’s something that was built over time because of the way it started,” he revealed recently in a Martinsville post-race interview.

Their friendship goes a long way back. It stemmed from when Hall of Fame football coach Joe Gibbs sought Rick Hendrick’s guidance after winning three Super Bowls, as he transitioned into NASCAR team ownership. “Everybody referred me to Rick. He helped us a lot and gave advice. It was a huge deal for us to be able to get off the ground. Rick played a huge role in that. I just really appreciate that,” Gibbs himself revealed. Hendrick played a pivotal role in helping Gibbs’ fledgling team get off the ground by providing advice, equipment, and access to engines from Hendrick Motorsports.

Gordon further expanded, “Rick is just an incredible type of person where he’s done this in the automotive industry, he’s done it in racing where, you know, he loves helping people get their start and and get them going and and he’s proud.” Beyond helping Joe Gibbs launch his NASCAR team, Hendrick has been instrumental in fostering other legends.

For example, he famously pushed a relatively young, lesser-known crew chief/driver team of Ray Evernham and Jeff Gordon to the Cup Series. The pair went on to win 47 wins together and three Cup Series Championships in their time at Hendrick Motorsports. Evernham once expressed his gratitude for Mr. H. “I will always give Rick Hendrick credit. Rick Hendrick can just see stuff in people that they don’t even see themselves, and identify that, and then give them the tools to become what they are. He did that for Jeff. He did it for me.”

Gibbs and Hendrick’s friendship reflects a unique balance. A “brotherhood” of sorts, where mutual respect fuels tough competition without personal animosity. Although their drivers vie for supremacy on Sunday, Hendrick and Gibbs stay in regular contact, congratulating one another and providing support off the track. This quiet alliance is redefining NASCAR respect, adding a profound dimension to one of racing’s fiercest rivalries.

Jeff Gordon talks about the driver-crew chief relationship

Jeff Gordon expressed strong confidence in the chemistry and resilience of their driver-crew chief duo. Well, he was particularly spotlighting Kyle Larson and crew chief Cliff Daniels. Gordon praised Larson’s unique ability to block out distractions and lean on his skills, team, and equipment to fight through tough situations.

“I think that the combination of those two, the people that they surround themselves with, really help them fight through that. I think when the Playoffs started, their performance was there. I think all through the Playoffs they’ve been building up to this point. Yeah, I never count those guys out,” he said.

Gordon acknowledged the unique pressure of the playoffs and how both Larson and Daniels, along with their supporting pit crew, have demonstrated relentless determination. “Our guys are grinding it out week in and week out,” Gordon said. He pointed out that while Hendrick has had highs and lows, such as William Byron’s dominant Martinsville win and some tougher performances, the team never gives up.

Gordon also credited the competition with Joe Gibbs Racing, whose equally strong preparation pushes Hendrick Motorsports’ drivers to excel. In the end, Gordon made it clear that the experience, mental toughness, and tight-knit teamwork between Larson and Daniels are exactly why they’re still among the strongest threats for the NASCAR Cup Series title. His confidence in the duo only adds to the buzz heading into the championship race.