Hendrick Motorsports Overview
Hendrick Motorsports is an American professional auto racing organization that competes primarily in the NASCAR Cup Series. Founded in 1984 by Rick Hendrick, a Charlotte, North Carolina–based car dealership owner, the team is headquartered in Charlotte and operates from one of the largest and most advanced racing facilities in NASCAR. Hendrick Motorsports has built a record of success that includes 320 Cup Series victories and 15 NASCAR Cup Series owners and drivers championships, making it the most decorated team in the modern era of stock car racing.
The organization fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries in the Cup Series, including the No. 5 for Kyle Larson, the No. 9 for Chase Elliott, the No. 24 for William Byron, and the No. 48 for Alex Bowman. Hendrick Motorsports also competes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, runs select efforts in other national series, and has entered special events such as the Indianapolis 500 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Jeff Andrews serves as the team’s president, Chad Knaus as vice president of competition, and Jeff Gordon as vice chairman.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Hendrick Motorsports was established before the 1984 season by Rick Hendrick, who built his career through the Hendrick Automotive Group dealership network. The team was created with crew chief and car builder Harry Hyde under the original name All-Star Racing, reflecting Hendrick’s ambition to field competitive stock cars on NASCAR’s biggest stages. From the outset, the operation was designed to mirror the multi-store structure of Hendrick’s dealership business, treating each car as a self-contained unit with its own crew, equipment, and sponsorship pipeline.
The organization was renamed Hendrick Motorsports in 1985 and quickly expanded its scope. The team was involved with the GM Goodwrench IMSA GTP Corvette program, contributing to the development of a twin-turbo V6 engine and competing in the IMSA GTP series from 1985 through 1988 with drivers Doc Bundy and Sarel van der Merwe. The IMSA project ended in 1988, allowing Hendrick Motorsports to focus its resources on NASCAR competition while applying lessons learned from sports car racing to its stock car programs.
Growth Into NASCAR Cup Series Competition
Hendrick Motorsports made its Cup Series debut at the 1984 Daytona 500 and won its first race that same year at Martinsville Speedway, with Geoff Bodine driving the No. 5. The team steadily grew its footprint, expanding to two full-time entries in 1986, three in 1987, and four in 2002. This multi-car model, inspired by the structure of Hendrick’s dealership group, made the team one of the first in NASCAR to operate several competitive entries simultaneously, setting a standard that others in the garage would later follow.
The organization invested heavily in in-house capabilities, building its own engine shop and developing advanced pit crew training methods that became industry benchmarks. Over time, Hendrick Motorsports became known for innovations in engine construction, race-day pit work, and athlete development, with alumni including Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip, Benny Parsons, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, and Kyle Busch. In 2020, the team partnered with AdvoCare to strengthen its performance and fitness programs.
Hendrick Motorsports Competitive Journey
Across more than four decades, Hendrick Motorsports has progressed from a single-car operation into NASCAR’s most successful team, compiling 383 total victories across the Cup, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Truck, and ARCA Series. The team has celebrated drivers’ championships in four different series and consistently contended for race wins and titles at every level of NASCAR competition.
Early Seasons and Development (1984–1994)
Hendrick Motorsports’ first decade was defined by steady expansion and landmark firsts. Geoff Bodine delivered the team’s initial victory at Martinsville in 1984, and the No. 5 became the cornerstone entry. Tim Richmond, Brett Bodine, Ken Schrader, and Ricky Rudd all turned laps for the team during this period, while Darrell Waltrip and Terry Labonte joined later, helping establish Hendrick Motorsports as a credible threat each week.
The team also branched into the Busch Series beginning in 1984 and added its first Truck Series efforts in 1995. Early sponsors such as Levi Garrett, Tide, DuPont, GMAC, and Quaker State became long-term partners, providing the financial foundation for sustained growth. By the mid-1990s, Hendrick Motorsports had built the technical infrastructure, multi-car depth, and championship-caliber personnel required to compete for titles on a regular basis.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Cup Series Competition (1995–2001)
The first championship era arrived in 1995, when Terry Labonte won the Cup Series title for Hendrick Motorsports. The team followed with additional Cup owners and drivers championships in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 2001, establishing a dynasty that reshaped the series. Jeff Gordon emerged as the face of the program during this stretch, capturing multiple Cup titles and setting the standard for excellence inside the Hendrick stable.
Parallel success came in the supporting series. Jack Sprague won the inaugural Truck Series championship for Hendrick Motorsports in 1997 and added two more titles in 1999 and 2001, while Brian Vickers delivered a Busch Series crown in 2003 with the No. 5. These championships confirmed that the team’s development pipeline could produce talent capable of winning at every national level of NASCAR.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2002–Present)
The 2000s ushered in a second championship wave, headlined by Jimmie Johnson’s run of five consecutive Cup titles from 2006 through 2010, along with additional crowns in 2013, 2016, 2020, and 2021. Johnson’s partnership with crew chief Chad Knaus became one of the most decorated combinations in motorsports history. The team’s roster also featured future stars Chase Elliott, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon in his final seasons, and Kyle Larson, who delivered the 269th Cup victory for Hendrick Motorsports at the 2021 Coca-Cola 600, breaking the all-time team win record held by Petty Enterprises.
Today, the team fields four full-time Cup entries under the Chevrolet banner and competes in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series with the No. 17 of Corey Day. In 2024, Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Arrow McLaren to enter the Indianapolis 500 with Kyle Larson, and Larson is also scheduled to attempt the 2025 Indianapolis 500. The organization also entered the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans through the Garage 56 program, fielding a modified Camaro ZL1 driven by Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button, and Mike Rockenfeller.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Hendrick Motorsports is built around the principles of in-house engineering, disciplined pit work, and long-term driver development. The team operates its own engine shop, leverages advanced simulation and fabrication capabilities, and shares technical resources with affiliated teams such as JR Motorsports and Hyak Motorsports. This integrated approach has produced consistent results across intermediate tracks, superspeedways, and short ovals alike.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Notable milestones include the first Cup win at Martinsville in 1984, the first Truck Series championship in 1997, Jimmie Johnson’s five consecutive Cup titles between 2006 and 2010, the 269th Cup victory that surpassed Petty Enterprises’ all-time team record in 2021, the 2023 Le Mans Garage 56 entry, and the 2024 Indianapolis 500 effort with Kyle Larson. The team also endured the tragic October 24, 2004, plane crash near Martinsville that claimed ten members of the Hendrick Motorsports family.
Hendrick Motorsports Achievements and Results
Hendrick Motorsports has accumulated 383 total victories, 333 pole positions, and 19 drivers’ championships across NASCAR’s national series. Its 320 Cup Series wins and 15 Cup Series owners and drivers championships stand as the modern benchmarks for organizational success in stock car racing.
Cup Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has won 320 NASCAR Cup Series races and 15 Cup Series owners and drivers championships, with title years spanning 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2025. The team’s landmark 269th Cup victory in 2021 surpassed the long-standing mark held by Petty Enterprises and cemented its place as the winningest organization in series history.
O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has earned 30 victories and one drivers’ championship in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with Brian Vickers delivering the 2003 title in the No. 5. The team has continued to field competitive entries through JR Motorsports and its own No. 17 program, with Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and William Byron each contributing wins in recent seasons.
Truck Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has captured 26 wins and three drivers’ championships in the NASCAR Truck Series, all three coming with Jack Sprague in 1997, 1999, and 2001. The team also supported Chase Elliott’s record-setting 2013 Truck Series campaign, during which he became the youngest pole winner and the youngest race winner in series history at the time.
ARCA Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has recorded seven ARCA Menards Series victories, with notable wins coming from drivers such as Blake Feese and Kyle Krisiloff. The program has been used primarily to develop young talent and prepare future Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series drivers for national-level competition.