Hendrick Motorsports Overview
Hendrick Motorsports is an American professional auto racing organization that competes primarily in the NASCAR Cup Series. Established in 1984 by Rick Hendrick, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based car dealership owner, the organization has grown into the most successful team in NASCAR history. Based in Concord, North Carolina, the team fields four full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series driving Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vehicles. The organization also competes in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and previously in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Racing Series. Hendrick Motorsports maintains an in-house engine shop and has been recognized for innovations in engine construction and pit crew training methods.
The organization was co-founded by NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon, who serves as Vice Chairman, while Jeff Andrews serves as President and Chad Knaus holds the position of Vice President of Competition. The team operates from its campus located on Papa Joe Hendrick Boulevard and maintains technical partnerships with several other racing organizations. The Hendrick Motorsports banner has become synonymous with sustained excellence in American motorsports, producing numerous championship-winning drivers and maintaining a presence in the sport for over four decades.
Founding and Organizational Origins
What is now Hendrick Motorsports was founded prior to the 1984 racing season by Rick Hendrick, who operates the Hendrick Automotive Group network of car dealerships. Originally established as All-Star Racing, the organization partnered with crew chief and car builder Harry Hyde for its inaugural season. The team competed in the NASCAR Busch Series, fielding the No. 15 car for seventeen races with sponsorship from Levi Garrett. Cup Series driver Geoff Bodine contested twelve of those races and secured Hendrick Motorsports’ first-ever victory at Rockingham Speedway during that debut campaign.
The organization was renamed Hendrick Motorsports in 1985 and quickly expanded its competitive presence. During the mid-to-late 1980s, the team became involved with the GM Goodwrench IMSA GTP Corvette development program, including twin-turbo V6 engine development efforts, competing in the IMSA GTP series from 1985 through 1988 with drivers Doc Bundy and Sarel van der Merwe. Following the conclusion of that program in 1988, the organization shifted its focus entirely to NASCAR competition, laying the groundwork for future expansion into multiple racing series and establishing the operational philosophy that would guide the team for decades to come.
Growth Into NASCAR Cup Series Competition
Hendrick Motorsports expanded its NASCAR efforts systematically throughout the late 1980s and into the 1990s. The organization operated two full-time Cup Series entries by 1986, increased to three cars in 1987, and eventually expanded to four full-time entries by 2002. This growth pattern made Hendrick Motorsports one of the first teams in NASCAR to achieve sustained success operating multiple entries, a business model influenced by the operational structure used at Hendrick car dealerships. The organization pioneered innovations in both engine construction and pit crew training that would later become industry standards.
The team also established the No. 25 Chevrolet entry that officially listed Rick Hendrick’s father, known as Papa Joe Hendrick, as the owner. Since 1995, the organization has presented the Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence, an employee-voted honor recognizing outstanding performance among team members. This tradition reflects the family-oriented values that have defined the organization throughout its history. The partnership between Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon in establishing JG Motorsports during the late 1990s eventually led to Gordon’s full-time Cup Series entry under the Hendrick Motorsports banner, beginning in 1993 and continuing through his Hall of Fame career.
Hendrick Motorsports Competitive Journey
Hendrick Motorsports has competed continuously at the sport’s highest level since 1984, growing from a single-car operation into a four-car powerhouse. The organization has earned the distinction of being the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history while accumulating championships across multiple NASCAR national series. This sustained competitive excellence spans over four decades and includes victories at every major venue on the NASCAR calendar.
Early Seasons and Development (1984-1994)
During its first decade of competition, Hendrick Motorsports built the foundation for future success through steady participation in NASCAR’s development series and establishing itself among competitive Cup Series entries. The team’s first Cup Series victory came in 1984 at Martinsville Speedway with Geoff Bodine driving the No. 5 entry. Bodine would go on to score multiple victories for the organization during this formative period. The team also began fielding entries in what is now the NASCAR Xfinity Series, providing opportunities for emerging talent and establishing pipelines of drivers who would later compete in the Cup Series.
Notable drivers during this developmental phase included Tim Richmond, who raced for the organization in the mid-1980s, and Darrell Waltrip, who joined the team and won two Cup Series championships in 1985 and 1986. The combination of competitive equipment, strategic driver placement, and operational excellence began distinguishing Hendrick Motorsports from other organizations on the grid. The team also started cultivating relationships with manufacturer partners and sponsors that would prove essential to long-term stability and growth.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Cup Series (1995-2005)
The mid-1990s marked the beginning of Hendrick Motorsports’ sustained championship era. Jeff Gordon, driving the iconic No. 24 Chevrolet, emerged as one of the sport’s dominant forces under the leadership of crew chief Ray Evernham. Gordon won his first Cup Series championship in 1995, beginning a remarkable run that would see the organization claim four consecutive championships from 1995 through 1998. This period established the team as the standard-bearer for technical innovation and competitive excellence in NASCAR.
Jimmie Johnson joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2002, forming a partnership with crew chief Chad Knaus that would become one of the most successful driver-crew chief combinations in motorsports history. Together, they delivered five consecutive Cup Series championships from 2006 through 2010, tying Gordon’s record of four consecutive titles and further cementing the organization’s dominance. The tragic plane crash on October 24, 2004, resulted in the loss of ten people, including Rick Hendrick’s son Ricky Hendrick, John Hendrick, Jeff Turner, Randy Dorton, and several others associated with the organization. Despite this devastating loss, the team continued competing and won the championship that season with Johnson.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2014-Present)
Hendrick Motorsports entered a new competitive era following the retirement of Jimmie Johnson from full-time Cup Series competition. The organization rebuilt its driver lineup around a younger generation of talent while maintaining its commitment to technical excellence. Chase Elliott, the son of former champion Bill Elliott, joined the organization and won the Cup Series championship in 2020, becoming the first driver born in the 1990s to claim the title. His victory represented the passing of the torch to a new generation of competitors representing the organization.
The current driver lineup features Kyle Larson in the No. 5 entry, Chase Elliott in the No. 9, William Byron in the No. 24, and Alex Bowman in the No. 48. This quartet provides the organization with a combination of championship experience, youth, and emerging potential. Jeff Andrews serves as President, overseeing day-to-day operations, while Chad Knaus continues as Vice President of Competition, bringing his extensive technical knowledge and strategic expertise to the program. The organization maintains its in-house engine facility and provides technical support to partner teams through engine leasing arrangements.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Hendrick Motorsports has built its reputation on a philosophy of continuous improvement, technical innovation, and development of talent at every level of the organization. The team’s in-house engine shop represents a significant competitive advantage, allowing complete control over powerplant development and performance optimization. This vertical integration extends to pit crew training programs that have been recognized throughout the sport for producing some of the fastest and most reliable crews in NASCAR competition.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
At the 2021 Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Motorsports achieved a historic milestone when Kyle Larson’s victory in the No. 5 car gave the organization its 269th Cup Series win, surpassing Petty Enterprises to become the winningest team in NASCAR Cup Series history. The organization continued adding to this record through the 2025 season. Additional landmark moments include participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 with a modified Next Gen Cup car in the Garage 56 experimental class, with the effort featuring drivers Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and 2009 Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button. In 2024, Hendrick Motorsports partnered with Arrow McLaren to enter the Indianapolis 500 with Kyle Larson attempting the traditional Memorial Day Double, continuing the organization’s expansion beyond traditional NASCAR competition.
Hendrick Motorsports Achievements and Results
Hendrick Motorsports has compiled an unrivaled record of accomplishment across NASCAR’s national racing series. The organization holds records for total Cup Series victories, Cup Series championships, and sustained competitive excellence spanning multiple decades. These achievements reflect the combined efforts of drivers, crew members, engineers, and support staff working within a framework of continuous improvement and pursuit of excellence.
NASCAR Cup Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has earned 15 NASCAR Cup Series owners and drivers championships, establishing records that may never be surpassed. The championship run began with Jeff Gordon’s titles in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 1998. After a championship in 2001 with Dale Earnhardt Jr. finishing second in points, the organization reached an unprecedented level of dominance with Jimmie Johnson’s five consecutive championships from 2006 through 2010. Additional championships followed in 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, and the most recent in 2025. The team has accumulated over 320 Cup Series victories, with the landmark 269th win at the 2021 Coca-Cola 600 establishing the organization as the winningest team in series history.
NASCAR Truck Series Achievements
Although the organization’s Truck Series program operated on a more limited basis, Hendrick Motorsports earned three NASCAR Truck Series championships through its development efforts. Jack Sprague captured championships in 1997 and 1999 while driving the No. 24 entry, establishing himself as one of the most successful drivers in that series’ history. The organization also earned its third Truck Series championship in 2001, completing a remarkable run of success in the developmental category. Truck Series victories totaled 26 across the program’s history, with notable wins coming at tracks across the NASCAR schedule.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Achievements
The organization’s Xfinity Series program has produced multiple championships and hundreds of victories across different eras. Following a period of combined operations with JR Motorsports beginning in 2008, Hendrick Motorsports returned to full-time Xfinity Series competition in 2022 with the No. 17 entry. The program achieved its first victory since 2009 when Kyle Larson won at Circuit of the Americas in 2024. Additional victories followed with Chase Elliott winning at Charlotte in the same season. For the 2026 season, the organization announced Corey Day would move to full-time competition in the No. 17 entry after scoring his first career win at Talladega Superspeedway during the 2026 season opener, followed by another victory at Dover Motor Speedway.
ARCA Racing Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports fielded entries in the ARCA Racing Series across several decades, developing future Cup Series stars and earning victories at various venues. The organization claimed ARCA championships in 2003, 2004, and 2013, with the 2013 title coming through Chase Elliott’s dominant performance that included becoming the youngest superspeedway winner in series history at age seventeen. Total ARCA victories reached seven across the program’s history, with Blake Feese, Kyle Busch, and other development drivers scoring wins during their progression toward NASCAR’s top series.
