“I bet William Byron is pissed Kyle Larson got the cooler scheme”: Fans react as Hendrick Motorsports drops Valvoline liveries for 2026 NASCAR season

Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) is all set to kick off its 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season on a high note. The Rick Hendrick-owned team recently revealed the fresh look of Kyle Larson’s #5 and William Byron’s #24 Chevrolets for the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, featuring Valvoline’s paint scheme. These reveals have sparked spirited discussions among fans on social media.

The defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson’s 5 car will adorn the red, white, and blue Valvoline colors for the upcoming season. This livery merges the iconic motor oil brand’s classic branding with a design evolution meant to stand out on track. His teammate Byron will carry Valvoline colors on the #24 Chevrolet, but his car will also feature multiple associate sponsor schemes including Liberty University looks.

After HMS revealed the paint scheme on their official X, fans were quick to react. Fans started comparing the paint scheme of Larson and Byron and some found Larson’s #5 Valvoline liveries cooler and more appealing.

Here are some of the fan reactions:

“I bet William Byron is pissed Kyle Larson got the cooler scheme” one fan wrote.

“Valvoline has the best paint scheme on the 5 in my opinion, that’s the gear I wear when rooting for Yung Money,” another fan commented.

Valvoline has the best paint scheme on the 5 in my opinion, that’s the gear I wear when rooting for Yung money

— Chris Jumper (@SCfootballfan80) January 6, 2026

“Everyone is a critic… but I like this a bit better, and I dont think it clashes with William’s primary blue Valvoline scheme” a third user said.

Everyone is a critic… but I like this a bit better, and I dont think it clashes with William’s primary blue Valvoline scheme pic.twitter.com/xpzadX20yT

— Disgruntled NASCAR Observer; Dirt Race Fan (@stegall97) January 6, 2026

“Can we just stick with one sponsor with one driver, this new era of multiple drivers with the same sponsor but on different race days stinks.” a fourth fan commented.

“Probs to the design team for creating two unique valvoline designs for the 5 & 24” a fifth fan wrote

“This is one of my new favorite schemes for larson” another user wrote.

In which races will Hendrick Motorsports stars use the Valvoline livery in 2026?

Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson will carry Valvoline’s colors in three races, starting with the second race of the 2026 season at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 22. The motor oil, lubricant, and car care product company will return at Talladega Superspeedway on April 26 and Phoenix Raceway on October 18.

Valvoline will also be a primary sponsor on William Byron’s #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet for six races, beginning with the Cook Out Clash exhibition race at Bowman Gray on February 1, followed by Bristol Motor Speedway (April 12), Texas Motor Speedway (May 3), Darlington Raceway (September 6), Charlotte ROVAL (October 11), and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway (November 8).

The Hendrick Motorsports and Valvoline partnership expanded through the 2029 season.