Dale Earnhardt Jr. Makes Big William Byron vs. Kyle Larson Claim

When it comes to Hendrick Motorsports in 2025 there a two top-dogs: William Byron and Kyle Larson. And while Larson has drawn most of the team's top billing in recent years, Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes things have changed.

After Larson let another win slip through his fingers at the FireKeepers Casino 400 in Michigan on Sunday, Dale Jr. talked about the new hierarchy at Hendrick — and it's one where the No. 24 Chevy leads the way.

"Yeah, the last couple of weeks, I think that he's [Byron] eclipsed Larson as the best car at Hendrick Motorsports," Dale Jr. said on Amazon Prime's postrace show. "Nobody's really been able to say that for a long time. Larson was so good throughout the majority of this season, but he's stumbled and kind of been kind of neutralized a little bit over the last couple of weeks."

"We know that won't last forever, but Byron needs to take advantage of that and try to go out there and get his wins," the Hall of Famer continued. "He's got a really good shot to separate himself from that pack and put himself in a championship contender form."

Byron currently leads NASCAR's Cup Series in points at 576 — 41 clear of Larson after a massive points day at Charlotte and 82 above yesterday's victor Denny Hamlin — however, his lead is shrinking.

The back-to-back Daytona 500 winner placed P28 in yesterday's race and will have to keep his foot on the gas to maintain his current track as regular season champion.