“He meant a lot to me personally,” revealed Kyle Larson. The NASCAR world is shrouded in grief following the sudden passing of Jon Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports’ Director of Racing Communications, who recently passed away at 53. For Jeff Gordon, a four-time champion and one of racing’s biggest names, the loss is profoundly personal. Edwards wasn’t just a colleague; he was a friend of nearly three decades, a brother who stood by Gordon through triumphs and trials, shaping his career and leaving an indelible mark on his life.
Edwards joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1994, stepping into a team on the cusp of greatness. Jeff Gordon, then a young driver with raw talent, was about to explode onto the scene, and Edwards was there from the start. He managed the media swarm during Gordon’s first Winston Cup championship in 1995, keeping the chaos at bay with a calm, steady presence. He stayed through Gordon’s golden years—titles in 1997, 1998, and 2001—building trust and camaraderie that went far beyond the racetrack.
Over the years, Edwards worked with other Hendrick stars like Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Larson, but his bond with Gordon was unique, a partnership forged in the crucible of NASCAR’s highest stakes. His excellence earned him the 2014 Jim Chapman Award, recognizing his skill in motorsports PR, but those who knew him personally, like Gordon, valued his character even more.
Hendrick Motorsports dominates as Jeff Gordon pays tribute to his dear friend
News of Edwards’ death sent shockwaves through NASCAR. Tributes poured in from every corner of the sport, painting a picture of a man who touched lives with quiet kindness. Journalist Jeff Gluck shared a heartfelt post on X: “Jon was one of the best dudes around. He mentored young reporters like me without making a big deal of it—just pure class.” “This is for Jon,” said Larson’s crew chief, Cliff Daniels. “This one is definitely for Jon,” added Larson on the radio. The team’s unity was palpable, a reflection of the bonds Edwards had nurtured over decades.
At Bristol, Jeff Gordon laid bare the depth of his grief in a moment that captured the team’s heartache. Speaking to media after the race, Gordon said, “Yeah, it was tough. You know, I think that we’ve gone through a lot as an organization over 40 years, and when you have experience in those things, you realize what would that person want, you know, and try to fulfill that. And, you know, Jon would want us to be here racing, and would want us, you know, to—I don’t even think he wants to honor him. He wants to not say his name at all, he wants to go under the radar and be this kind of unsung hero, I guess. But there’s no other way to do it any other way for a great like him. And, but yeah, I think we’ve just—sometimes it’s therapeutic, but it’s also not really an option either… and so just try to learn from it and grow from it and bond together as an organization, as a team together, and I think that’s what Jon’s going to do in this case for us.”
Those words reveal Edwards’ essence. He shunned the spotlight, content to work behind the scenes, making others shine. Jeff Gordon knew that better than anyone. Honoring Edwards didn’t mean grand gestures or tearful speeches—it meant racing, pouring everything into the sport he loved. At Bristol, Hendrick Motorsports did just that. Larson’s win was more than a triumph; it was a testament to Edwards’ influence. Gordon added, “It’s been a rough week, I’ll be honest. I lost someone who’s like a brother,” Gordon said. “Larson was driving with a passion. What a dominant performance. This one is for Jon.”
Edwards was currently serving as Kyle Larson’s PR manager, and the latter was determined to honor the legacy of his dear friend and put up a stellar drive in the process. The #5 led 411 laps and swept both stages, eventually winning by over 2-seconds as his rival, Denny Hamlin, finished in 2nd. This was also the first time Larson beat Hamlin in a 1-2 finish, and what better time than now?
More from @JeffGordonWeb on how @TeamHendrick deals with these difficult moments of loss. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/cTDS6zgV7y
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) April 13, 2025
Jon Edwards’ impact stretched beyond Hendrick. He mentored young drivers like William Byron, helped Larson navigate his comeback after a 2020 suspension, and even found time to teach journalists the ropes. Dustin Long, a longtime motorsports reporter for NBC Sports, worked closely with Edwards to coordinate countless stories dating back to 1999. “If you had a question, you can go to him and get an answer,” Long told NASCAR.com. Edwards’ ability to connect, to make everyone feel valued, was his true gift. The grief was compounded by another loss that same week—ARCA team owner Shigeaki Hattori also passed away, leaving the NASCAR garage reeling. “It’s been a brutal few days,” wrote journalist Bob Pockrass, echoing the sport’s collective sorrow.
Former driver Landon Cassill offered a glimpse of Edwards’ lighter side: “One of the first people I met at Hendrick. Spent a lot of time with him early in my career because I wasn’t old enough to get a rental car, so I had to catch a ride from other folks to the track. Jon was in my rotation for that and always came through. He took a lot of money from me playing poker. RIP Jon Edwards.” His poker games, a Hendrick tradition, were legendary—Cassill wasn’t the only one who left those tables lighter in the wallet but richer in stories.
As Hendrick Motorsports moves forward, they carry Edwards’ spirit in every lap, every pit stop. Racing is their language of grief and gratitude, the only way they know to honor a man who gave them so much. Gordon said it best while recounting Edwards as their unsung hero, pushing them to be better, together, from wherever he is now. Larson’s Bristol victory lap carried an unspoken promise to carry Edwards’ legacy forward, not with words, but with action.
Gordon’s relished Kyle Larson’s emotional Bristol victory
Kyle Larson’s heart was heavy as he crossed the finish line at Bristol Motor Speedway, clinching his second NASCAR Cup Series win of 2025. The Food City 500 was a tribute. Larson dedicated the victory to Jon Edwards, Hendrick Motorsports’ beloved communications director, who passed away days earlier. “This one’s for Jon,” Larson said. “He’s a great guy. We’re gonna miss him. I wish he was here, but I know his spirit is here with us.”
Kyle Larson attempted the weekend sweep at Bristol this week and managed to win two of the three races, narrowly missing out with a P2 in the Truck race. However, Larson also dedicated his Xfinity triumph to Edwards and manifested a victory on Sunday by saying after the race, “We’ve got one more tomorrow (in Sunday’s Food City 500 NASCAR Cup race). There’d be nothing better than to cap it off with a Cup win for Jon and all of Hendrick Motorsports… I’ve got a great car there for (Sunday). We’ve just got to execute like we did today.”
Larson dominated, and no one could come near him. Only one caution slowed the race. A rare clean day at Bristol’s high-banked bullring. “[It was] a flawless race. [I had a] really good car,” Larson said. “I knew I had to make some good moves in traffic [to hold off Hamlin]. Good to be back in victory lane. “ His No. 5 Chevy was untouchable, a fitting way to honor Edwards, who loved seeing Hendrick shine. Larson’s teammate, Alex Bowman, faced heartbreak when his engine blew, ending his day early.
This weekend belonged to Hendrick Motorsports. After going through tragic times, they rallied back and delivered two wins for the ages and honored one of their most revered members.
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