Cliff Daniels Said Struggles Were ‘Important’ En Route to 2026 Title

Crew chief Cliff Daniels looked back on the struggles faced by the No. 5 team en route to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series title. Daniels explained that the adversity was crucial for the team, stating that "adversity was really important for us just to lean into it as a team." He emphasized that with the right mindset and a strong team, they could learn valuable lessons about themselves and find ways to improve.

Daniels noted that the No. 5 team has often been in challenging situations throughout their history with Hendrick Motorsports. He expressed gratitude for the team's resilience, saying, "I think our team has a lot of moments in our history, Hendrick Motorsports does really, of showing that resilience." The team's ability to dig deep and stay together was key to their success, according to Daniels.

While the No. 5 team did not always start the race with the fastest car, their resiliency shone through. Daniels highlighted that the team knew how to stay together and keep fighting, even when they were not always the fastest. He expressed gratitude for the dedicated team members who contributed to their success, particularly in the final races leading to the championship.

Larson's championship run included three victories in the Chase, securing his third Cup Series title. Driver Kyle Larson became just the third driver in NASCAR history to win three Cup Series titles during a single season.