“We want it bad”: Jeff Gordon sends a strong message after Kyle Larson and William Byron’s ‘huge accomplishment’ 

Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon recently shared his candid thoughts about Kyle Larson and William Byron making it to the Championship 4. The NASCAR legend called this a "huge accomplishment" for the Chevy roster in the present playoff format.

The Rick Hendrick-owned organization will have a chance to bring another Cup Series title home after Larson's triumph in 2021. However, just making it to the finale round in Phoenix is also a measure of success, as per four-time champion Gordon.

In a recent media availability, the Hall of Famer addressed his fierce desire to win a title at the hands of two finest stock-car drivers in the modern era. He said (via asapsports.com):

"This really is a huge accomplishment. Again, just to be there, just to get this far in the season, have two going for the championship. Yeah, we want it bad. If we're in it and we've got a shot at it, we want to come away with it."

Despite hoping for a change to the current playoff format, Jeff Gordon acknowledged making it to the final 4 as a huge achievement. He said:

"I mean, these days, with this format, maybe this changes next year probably, but when you just make it to the Final 4, it's sort of like a championship. It comes down to, yeah, ultimately one team and driver's holding up the trophy, but just making it into that Final 4 is such a huge accomplishment that I think we've kind of been measuring our abilities and success on that, hanging it on that a little bit more than just ultimately what happens in one race at the end of the season, which is another reason why to change the format."

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Jeff Gordon weighs in on Hendrick Motorsports' "extremely good" NASCAR title chances

For the past three seasons, Team Penske has dominated the Championship 4 race with its wins and lifted the coveted trophy. However, William Byron broke that streak by holding off Ryan Blaney for a chance in the final Phoenix race.

Reflecting on the same, Jeff Gordon, in a post-race interaction after Martinsville, said:

"We're pretty excited to have two-on-two in a heavyweight fight, as you mentioned. And I feel like our chances are extremely good, and right now I'm excited."

Byron and Kyle Larson will be joined by Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin for a chance at the Cup Series title.

In the same interview, Jeff Gordon added:

"Now what I love doing is watching these guys leave here and go to work on what it's gonna take to win, all the details that come along with what happens from now until next Sunday. That's what I love watching these guys do it, because they do it so well. And sure, you know, the Gibbs folks do a lot of the same things. It's why they're as successful as they are, and I think it makes us as good as we are."

NASCAR will be back in action to decide the NASCAR Cup Series champion for the 2025 season on November 2 at Phoenix Raceway.

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Edited by Sashwat Deo