Hendrick Motorsports Overview
Hendrick Motorsports is an American professional auto racing organization founded in 1984 by Rick Hendrick and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The team competes primarily in the NASCAR Cup Series with Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 entries, and also fields a Chevrolet in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Hendrick Motorsports is the most decorated team in NASCAR Cup Series history, holding records for owners and drivers championships and overall race victories.
The organization operates multiple full-time Cup teams and is recognized for its in-house engine program, technical partnerships, and a long list of Hall of Fame drivers. Leadership includes Jeff Gordon as Vice Chairman, Jeff Andrews as President, and Chad Knaus as Vice President of Competition. The team is part of the broader Hendrick Automotive Group and continues to shape modern NASCAR through engineering, driver development, and race-day strategy.
Founding and Organizational Origins
Hendrick Motorsports was created prior to the 1984 NASCAR season by Rick Hendrick, a Charlotte-based car dealership owner. The team was formed with crew chief and car builder Harry Hyde under the original name All-Star Racing. The organization was renamed Hendrick Motorsports in 1985, marking the start of a unified identity that has remained for four decades.
From the start, the team drew on the operational model used in the Hendrick Automotive Group dealerships, treating the race shop as a multi-car enterprise rather than a single-entry operation. Early expansion was deliberate: the team grew to two full-time cars in 1986, three in 1987, and eventually four entries in 2002. The team’s campus is now located on Papa Joe Hendrick Boulevard in Concord, North Carolina, named after Rick Hendrick’s father, who has been honored through the Papa Joe Hendrick Award of Excellence since 1995.
Growth Into NASCAR Competition
Hendrick Motorsports entered the NASCAR Cup Series in 1984, debuting at the Daytona 500. The team’s first victory came that same year at Martinsville Speedway, where Geoff Bodine won in the No. 5 car. Within a few years, Hendrick expanded beyond stock cars, partnering with General Motors from 1985 to 1988 on a Corvette GTP and twin-turbo V6 development program in the IMSA GTP series, with drivers Doc Bundy and Sarel van der Merwe.
The organization established itself as a Cup Series frontrunner through the 1990s and 2000s, with drivers such as Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte, Darrell Waltrip, and Benny Parsons. Expansion into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series began in 1995, while the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (formerly the Busch and Xfinity Series) has seen continuous involvement since 1984, with current operations supported through a long-standing alliance with JR Motorsports and a returning in-house effort. The team also briefly entered the IndyCar Series, fielding Kyle Larson in the Indianapolis 500 in 2024 and 2025 in partnership with Arrow McLaren.
Hendrick Motorsports Competitive Journey
Hendrick Motorsports has progressed from a single-car operation in 1984 to a four-car Cup Series powerhouse, supplemented by entries in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, historical Truck Series teams, ARCA Series efforts, and special projects such as the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans entry. The team’s growth mirrors the expansion of NASCAR itself, with steady investment in personnel, engineering, and pit crew development.
Early Seasons and Development (1984–1994)
The team’s debut year produced an immediate win at Martinsville with Geoff Bodine and established the No. 5 car as a foundational entry. Throughout the 1980s, the team fielded Chevrolets for drivers including Brett Bodine, Tim Richmond, and Ricky Rudd, building a reputation for mechanical preparation. The IMSA GTP involvement between 1985 and 1988 added technical depth to the engine shop before the project ended.
By the late 1980s and early 1990s, Hendrick had grown to multi-car Cup operations, signing future Hall of Famers and developing driver talent. The organization became known for early innovations in engine construction and formalized pit crew training, setting standards later adopted across the garage area. These foundations prepared the team for championship-level success in the following decade.
Breakthrough in NASCAR Cup Series (1995–2009)
The mid-1990s ushered in the team’s first sustained championship run. Jeff Gordon captured Cup Series drivers titles in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001, with Terry Labonte adding a title in 1996. The team’s 1995 crown was the first of fifteen Cup Series owners championships to date, building an unmatched dynasty.
The 2000s expanded that legacy. Jimmie Johnson, teamed with crew chief Chad Knaus, won five consecutive Cup Series championships from 2006 through 2010, one of the most dominant stretches in motorsport history. Gordon added a fourth title in 2001, while other marquee drivers such as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Casey Mears piloted Hendrick entries during this era. The team’s competitive infrastructure, including in-house engines, advanced chassis setups, and elite pit crews, became the benchmark of the series.
Modern Program and Current Direction (2010–Present)
Hendrick Motorsports currently fields four full-time Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 teams in the Cup Series: 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. The No. 17 Chevrolet is run full-time in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series for Corey Day, following a multi-year development schedule announced in 2022. The organization also maintains an in-house engine shop, leasing engines to technical partners including Haas Factory Team, Hyak Motorsports, and Spire Motorsports.
Chase Elliott delivered the team’s most recent Cup Series drivers title in 2020, and the 2021 Coca-Cola 600 victory by Kyle Larson marked the organization’s 269th Cup Series win, surpassing the long-standing record held by Petty Enterprises. William Byron added to that total with the 2025 Cup Series championship, bringing Hendrick’s total to fifteen owners and drivers titles in the series. The team is also preparing Kyle Larson for another Indianapolis 500 attempt and continues to support entry in other premier events.
Philosophy and Competitive Strengths
Hendrick Motorsports is built on a multi-car operational model that shares data, engineering resources, and pit crew training across entries. The team’s strengths include engine reliability, disciplined race strategy, and one of the most respected pit crews in NASCAR. The in-house engine shop and a long-standing technical alliance with Chevrolet provide consistent development advantages, while a steady driver pipeline through JR Motorsports and in-house Xfinity efforts supports long-term competitiveness.
Key Milestones and Major Moments
Notable milestones include the 1984 first win at Martinsville, Jeff Gordon’s four Cup championships, Jimmie Johnson’s record five consecutive titles, the 2021 record-breaking 269th Cup win, and William Byron’s 2025 championship. The team also entered the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans in the Garage 56 category with Jimmie Johnson, Mike Rockenfeller, and Jenson Button, and the tragic 2004 plane crash near Martinsville remains a defining moment in the organization’s history, with all four Hendrick Cup cars carrying tributes for the remainder of that season.
Hendrick Motorsports Achievements and Results
Hendrick Motorsports holds the NASCAR record for Cup Series owners and drivers championships, along with the most all-time Cup Series victories. The team’s championship success spans the Winston Cup, Nextel Cup, Sprint Cup, Monster Energy Cup, and current Cup Series eras, while additional titles have been earned in supporting national series.
NASCAR Cup Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has won fifteen Cup Series owners and drivers championships: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2020, 2021, and 2025. Drivers’ championships have been earned by Jeff Gordon (four), Jimmie Johnson (seven), Chase Elliott (one), and William Byron (one, as of 2025), with Terry Labonte claiming a title in 1996. The team’s all-time Cup Series victory total exceeds 320 races, the highest of any organization in series history.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Achievements
The team has recorded 32 victories in what is now the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, with one drivers’ championship captured in 2003 by Brian Vickers. Kyle Larson scored a notable win at the Circuit of the Americas in 2024, the team’s first O’Reilly Auto Parts Series victory since 2009, and added another at Bristol in 2025. William Byron won at Charlotte in 2025, and Chase Elliott also reached victory lane in the same season.
Craftsman Truck Series Achievements
Hendrick Motorsports has 26 wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and three owners and drivers titles, earned in 1997, 1999, and 2001, all with Jack Sprague behind the wheel. The team last competed in the Truck Series in 2013, when Chase Elliott won the inaugural Chevrolet Silverado 250 at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.
ARCA and Special Event Achievements
The team has recorded seven ARCA Racing Series victories, including Kyle Busch’s 2004 Daytona win and Chase Elliott’s 2013 Pocono victory. In 2023, Hendrick Motorsports entered the 24 Hours of Le Mans through the Garage 56 invitation, completing the race with its modified Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The team has also entered the Indianapolis 500 in 2024 and 2025 with Kyle Larson, continuing its expansion into premier open-wheel and endurance events.
