Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series

Hendrick Motorsports

Company type	Private
Industry	Auto racing
Founded	1984
Founder	Rick Hendrick
Headquarters	Concord , United States
Products	NASCAR racing teams and cars

Hendrick Motorsports (HMS) is a leading American professional auto racing team competing in the NASCAR Cup Series. Established in 1984 by entrepreneur Rick Hendrick under the name All Star Racing, the organization boasts a NASCAR record of 317 Cup Series victories and 14 championships for owners and drivers combined. Their achievements also include three titles in the Truck Series, one championship in the Xfinity Series, along with 30 wins in Xfinity, 26 in Truck, and seven in the ARCA Menards Series. This section outlines HMS’s performance in the NASCAR Cup Series from its inception through today.

History of Car No. 5

Geoff Bodine (1984–1989)

The No. 5 car made its debut in 1984 under the banner "All Star Racing," operating with a small crew and limited financial resources, where the top salary was $500 per week. The initial plan was to run a car for seven-time champion Richard Petty, financed by C.K. Spurlock, but that agreement did not materialize. Efforts to recruit Tim Richmond and Dale Earnhardt were unsuccessful, leading to the signing of former Rookie of the Year Geoff Bodine. Despite early financial struggles threatening the team's existence, a victory at Martinsville Speedway attracted sponsorship from Northwestern Security Life, securing the team’s future and enabling growth. Bodine achieved several wins and consistent top-ten finishes through the late 1980s before leaving after the 1989 season.

Ricky Rudd (1990–1993)

Following Bodine’s departure, Ricky Rudd took over driving duties, capturing a win at Watkins Glen International and ending the season seventh in points. In 1991, Tide became the primary sponsor of the merged No. 5 team, with Rudd posting his career-best finish of second place in the championship standings. After adding more victories over subsequent seasons, Rudd exited Hendrick Motorsports due to concerns over resource distribution within the organization and went on to form his own racing team.

Terry Labonte (1994–2004)

Former Winston Cup champion of 1984, Terry Labonte assumed control of the No. 5 car with Kellogg's backing. He secured three wins each in both 1994 and 1995, then clinched the 1996 championship narrowly ahead of teammate Jeff Gordon. Labonte continued to collect wins sporadically until injuries in 2000 interrupted his momentum. During his tenure, sponsorship shifted among Kellogg’s various brands. After transitioning to a part-time role post-2004, he eventually left HMS following the 2006 season, having amassed twelve wins and one championship.

Kyle Busch (2005–2007)

Development driver Kyle Busch, younger sibling of Kurt Busch, succeeded Labonte beginning in 2005. That year, Busch earned two victories—including becoming at that time the youngest driver to win a Cup race—and received Rookie of the Year honors. Over three seasons with HMS, he accumulated multiple wins and made several Chase appearances before Hendrick announced his departure after 2007.

Casey Mears (2008) & Mark Martin (2009–2011)

In 2008, Casey Mears piloted the No. 5 car prior to veteran Mark Martin joining in 2009 with sponsorship from GoDaddy.com. Martin scored five wins during his first year and finished runner-up in points, subsequently extending his contract through 2011. Although performance declined somewhat over those years—alongside a crew chief change in 2011—Martin remained competitive with numerous pole positions and strong finishes before leaving HMS.

Kasey Kahne (2012–2017)

Kasey Kahne arrived from Red Bull Racing Team supported by Farmers Insurance and Quaker State sponsorship for most events. After initial challenges adapting, Kahne captured significant victories such as the Coca-Cola 600 and New Hampshire races during his rookie season with HMS, finishing fourth overall—the highest placement of his career. Despite qualifying for several Chase playoff appearances, inconsistent outcomes led to fluctuating standings until his final triumph at the Brickyard 400 in 2017. That year also saw Hendrick announce William Byron as Kahne’s successor for the next season.

Kyle Larson (2021–present)

In October 2020, Kyle Larson was signed to drive car No. 5 starting with the 2021 season, replacing the former No. 88 entry. After sponsor withdrawals linked to prior controversies, Hendrick Motorsports utilized its automotive division for sponsorship support alongside Valvoline and other partners. Larson rapidly established himself as a dominant competitor with multiple victories including at the Pennzoil 400 and Coca-Cola 600 events; he secured the Regular Season Championship and captured his first Cup Series title at Phoenix Raceway—ending a quarter-century championship drought for car No. 5.

In following seasons, Larson maintained strong performances with numerous wins annually including notable triumphs at Fontana (2022), Richmond and Martinsville (2023), as well as setting Hendrick records for laps led during Bristol Night Race (2024). Despite facing penalties such as crew chief suspensions and point deductions due to technical infractions, Larson sustained a competitive advantage through strategic leadership and consistent results.

Larson’s influence extends beyond racing success; his business acumen has significantly enhanced HMS’s market presence contributing to ongoing growth by combining on-track excellence with elevated brand visibility off-track. His role as an executive driver exemplifies Hendrick Motorsports’ dedication to industry leadership via investment in elite talent and adaptive business strategies.

As of mid-2024, Larson has secured multiple wins at premier events including Sonoma and Indianapolis Brickyard races while consistently advancing deep into playoff rounds—solidifying his status as a key business figure within NASCAR’s top tier.

Performance of Car No. 5

Year	Driver	No.	Manufacturer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Pts.
1984	Geoff Bodine	5	Chevy	DAY 8th	RCH 9th	CAR 6th	ATL 13th	BRI 25th	NWS 14th	DAR 35th	MAR 1st	TAL 34th	NSV 3rd	DOV 10th	CLT 5th	RSD 4th	POC 36th	MCH 7th	DAY 12th	NSV 1st*	POC 12th	TAL 26th	MCH 34th	BRI 22nd	DAR 12th	RCH 4th	DOV 9th	MAR 28th	CLT 6th	NWS 23rd	CAR 19th	ATL 24th*	RSD < br >1st							9th	3734
1985				DAY < br >7th	RCH < br >2nd	CAR < br >12th	ATL < br >2nd	BRI < br >18th	DAR < br >7th	NWS < br >5th	MAR < br >3rd	TAL < br >11th	DOV < br >11th	CLT < br >16th	RSD < br >22nd	POC < br >4th*	Miller :400 (Michigan) MCH < br >11th	Pepsi Firecracker :400 DAY < br >14th	1985 Summer :500 POC < br >4th	Talladega :500 (Fall Race) TAL < br >23rd	Champion Spark Plug :400 MCH < br >23rd	Busch :500 BRI < br >25th	Southern :500 (1950-2004) DAR < br >3rd	style = " background: # FF DF9F; [[Wrangler Sanfor-Set :400 RCH ] ] < br >7th ... [table continues with similar structure, omitted for brevity] ...

Car No. 9 history

Chase Elliott (2018–present)

Following the conclusion of the 2017 season, Chase Elliott's vehicle number was changed from No. 24 to No. 9 as a tribute to his father, Bill Elliott, the 1988 NASCAR champion. Elliott encountered difficulties early in the 2018 season but secured his initial stage victory at New Hampshire and achieved his first Cup Series win at Watkins Glen. This triumph marked Hendrick Motorsports' 250th victory and guaranteed him a spot in the Playoffs. During the Playoffs, he also won races at Dover and Kansas, ultimately finishing sixth in the overall standings.

The 2019 campaign proved inconsistent for Elliott, who started with two top-10 finishes before stringing together five consecutive top-5 results, including his first superspeedway triumph at Talladega and another victory at Watkins Glen. Nonetheless, six DNFs undermined his consistency, leading to a 10th-place finish in the championship.

In 2020, despite facing some inspection challenges, Elliott captured the All-Star Race title at Bristol and won the inaugural Go Bowling 235 at Daytona. These successes culminated in him earning his first Cup Series championship, which was also Hendrick Motorsports' 13th overall title. The following year, he claimed victory in the inaugural Texas Grand Prix but encountered penalties such as a disqualification due to loose lug nuts and a points deduction related to engine allocation violations.

Elliott’s 2022 season featured wins at Dover, Nashville, Atlanta, and Talladega—his fifth victory that year—securing him the regular season championship. Although a late-race incident at Phoenix dropped him to fourth in points, his performance remained strong throughout the year.

In 2023, after a sluggish start and an injury sustained while snowboarding, Xfinity Series driver Josh Berry filled in for Elliott. The team was handed an L2 penalty involving a substantial points deduction and crew chief suspension for using unauthorized hood louvers; however, upon appeal, owner and playoff points were reinstated. Substitute drivers Berry and Jordan Taylor delivered impressive results, including Berry’s career-best second-place finish at Richmond. Elliott returned mid-season but was suspended for one race following an on-track altercation with Denny Hamlin. Missing several races caused Elliott to miss the playoffs for the first time; nonetheless, the No. 9 car qualified for the owners' playoffs thanks to points earned by substitute drivers. Elliott concluded the season 17th in driver standings while the car secured 10th place in owners' points.

Kicking off the 2024 season with a strong Daytona 500 performance, Elliott ended a 42-race winless streak by winning at Texas—marking Hooters’ first victory as sponsor since 1992. Subsequently, Hendrick Motorsports filed a lawsuit against Hooters over unpaid sponsorship fees; this dispute was resolved with Hooters paying $900,000. Despite recording four top-three finishes during the playoffs, DNFs at Talladega and Las Vegas resulted in Elliott’s elimination after the Round of 8; he finished seventh in points.

In 2025, Elliott started off on a high note by winning the Cook Out Clash held at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Performance Record of Car No. 9

Season	Driver	No.	Manufacturer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36		Points
2018		9	Chevy	DAY 33	ATL 10	LVS 34	PHO 3	CAL 16	MAR 9	TEX 11	BRI 29	RCH 2	TAL 3	DOV 12	KAN 12	CLT 11	POC 10	MCH 9	SON 4	CHI 19	DAY 34	KEN 13	NHA 5	POC 7	GLN 1*	MCH 9	BRI 3	DAR 5	IND 15	LVS 36	RCH < small >4 < / small >	ROV < br /> < small >6 < / small >	DOV < br /> < small >1 < / small >	TAL < br /> < small >31 < / small >	KAN < br /> < small >1 < / small >	MAR < br /> < small >7 < / small >	TEX < br /> < small >6 < / small >	PHO < br /> < small >23 < / small >	HOM < br /> < small >7 < / small >	6th !2350
2019				DAY < br /> < small >17 < / small >	ATL < br /> < small >19 < / small >	LVS < br /> < small >9 < / small >	PHO < br /> < small >14 < / small >	CAL < br /> < small >11 < / small >	MAR < br /> < small >2 </ Small >	TEX < br /> < Small >13 </ Small >	BRI 11 </Style>

History of Car No. 17

Darrell Waltrip (1987–1990)

The inception of the No. 17 vehicle occurred when Darrell Waltrip departed from Junior Johnson & Associates following the conclusion of the 1986 season to join Hendrick Motorsports, with Tide as the primary sponsor. Over his initial three seasons, Waltrip achieved nine victories, highlighted by his sole Daytona 500 triumph in 1989. A memorable incident that year took place at The Winston, where Waltrip was spun out by Rusty Wallace just before the race's final lap.

In 1990, while practicing for his 500th race at the Daytona summer event, Waltrip encountered a severe crash after sliding on oil and being hit by Dave Marcis, which resulted in significant injuries that forced him to miss six races. Replacement drivers such as Greg Sacks, who notably finished second at Michigan, helped sustain the team's competitive edge, leading to a 5th place finish in owner points despite Waltrip's absence. Nonetheless, Waltrip did not secure a single win in any of his 23 starts that year—a drought not seen since 1974.

By the end of the 1990 season, Waltrip exited Hendrick Motorsports to establish his own operation, taking the No. 17 car number with him. Meanwhile, Tide sponsorship transitioned to Hendrick’s premier No. 5 team, driven by Ricky Rudd, and continued through the 1993 season.

Performance Record of Car No. 17

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	Owners	Pts
1987	Darrell Waltrip	17	Chevy	DAY 8	CAR 7	RCH 20	ATL 6	DAR 10	NWS 21	BRI 12	MAR 21	TAL 11	CLT 5	DOV 7	POC 13	RSD 30	MCH 7	DAY 4	POC 19	TAL 4	GLN 11	MCH 17	BRI 21	DAR 10	RCH 2	DOV 10	MAR 1	style = " background : #DFFFDF ; " >NWS < br/>< small >12 < / small >	style = " background : #FFDF9F ; " >CLT < br / >< small >9 < / small >	style = " background : #DFDFDF ; " >CAR < br / >< small >3 < / small >	style = " background : #FFDF9F ; " >RSD < br / >< small >6 < / small >	style = " background : #DFFFDF ; " >ATL < br / >< small >18 < / small >	4th	3911
1988				style = " background : #DFFFDF ; " >DAY < br / >< small >11 < / small >	style = " background : #DFDFDF ; " >RCH < br / >< small >4 < / small >	style = " background : #CFCFFF ; " >CAR < br / >< small >24 < / small >	style = " background : #DFDFDF ; " >ATL < br / >< small >3 < / small >	style = " background : #CFCFFF ; " >DAR < br / >< small >24 < / small >	style = " background : #CFCFFF ; " >BRI < br / >< small >23 < / small >	style = " background : #DFFFDF ; " >NWS < br / >< small >14 < / small >	style = " background : #DFDFDF ; " >MAR < br / >< small >5 < / small >	style = " background : #EFCFFF ; " >TAL < br / >< small >37 < / small >	style = " background : #FFFFBF ; " >CLT < br / >< small >1 < / small >	style = " background : #CFCFFF ; " >DOV < br / >< small >23 < / small >	style = " background : #EFCFFF ; " >Budweiser 400  RSD <br />< smal l >28 <br />	style = " background : #FFDF9F ; " >[[Miller High Life 5 POC <br />< smal l >6 <br />	style = " background : #FFDF9F ;" >1988 Miller High Life 4 MCH < br /> < smal l >8 </ smal l >	style = " background : # DF DF DF ;" >[[Pepsi Firecracker 4 DAY ] ]   < smal l >5 </ smal l > ...

Car No. 25 history

Tim Richmond (1986–1987)

The No. 25 car, initially owned by Joe "Papa" Hendrick, father of Rick Hendrick, made its first appearance in 1986 as the second team under HMS, with Folgers as the sponsor and Tim Richmond behind the wheel. Richmond, working alongside experienced crew chief Harry Hyde, secured seven victories and concluded the season third in the championship standings. Due to illness, Richmond missed the start of the 1987 season, during which Benny Parsons and subsequently Darrell Waltrip stepped in as substitutes. Returning midway through the year, Richmond claimed two wins before health complications forced him to step away; he passed away in 1989. His total of nine wins stood as the team record until 1996.

Ken Schrader (1988–1996)

In 1988, Ken Schrader assumed driving duties, capturing the pole position for the Daytona 500 and winning the Talladega DieHard 500 while finishing fifth overall in points. Beginning in 1990, he was sponsored by Kodiak tobacco, followed later by Budweiser. Schrader earned multiple pole positions and race victories during his tenure, achieving his highest points finish—fourth place—in 1994. His departure after the 1996 season marked the longest continuous stint with HMS until surpassed by Jeff Gordon.

Ricky Craven (1997–1998)

Ricky Craven contributed to a Hendrick sweep of the top three positions at the 1997 Daytona 500 but missed several races due to a concussion injury. He won the Winston Open and ended that season ranked nineteenth in points.

Multiple Drivers and the #50 (1998)

During NASCAR’s fiftieth anniversary year, the No. 25 car was renumbered to 50. Following Craven’s struggles with post-concussion syndrome, substitute drivers Randy LaJoie and Wally Dallenbach Jr. filled in, with Dallenbach ultimately taking over permanently.

Wally Dallenbach Jr. (1999)

In 1999, Dallenbach piloted the No. 25 to an eighteenth-place finish in points but departed after that season when Budweiser shifted its sponsorship to Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s No. 8 team. The following year, Michael Holigan became sponsor as Jerry Nadeau joined HMS as driver.

Jerry Nadeau (2000–2002)

Nadeau concluded his rookie season twentieth in points and secured a victory at Atlanta Motor Speedway. With co-sponsorship from UAW and Delphi in 2001, he improved to seventeenth in standings but was released after eleven races into the 2002 season.

Joe Nemechek (2002–2003)

Replacing Nadeau mid-season, Joe Nemechek earned a win at Richmond in 2003 before departing late that year to compete for MB2 Motorsports.

Brian Vickers (2003–2006)

Brian Vickers took over driving duties mid-2003 while simultaneously competing full-time in the Busch Series, where he held a championship title. After UAW and Delphi exited sponsorship, GMAC Financial and Ditech.com became primary backers. Vickers finished third in Rookie of the Year standings in 2004 despite personal losses including "Papa" Joe Hendrick and Ricky Hendrick passing away. By 2005, he improved to seventeenth place in points but announced his departure midway through 2006.

Casey Mears (2007)

For the 2007 season, HMS named Casey Mears as Vickers’ successor. Mears captured his inaugural career victory at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Coca-Cola 600 event with sponsorship from National Guard and GMAC. Subsequently, Mears transitioned to drive the No. 5 car while HMS introduced a new No. 88 vehicle assigned to Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Part-time (2008–2015)

Between 2008 and 2009, JR Motorsports’ driver Brad Keselowski made limited appearances in the No. 25 Chevrolet backed by GoDaddy as part of his progression plan; however, following Mark Martin’s re-signing for the No.5 ride in 2010, Keselowski moved on to Penske Racing.

The No.25 returned sporadically for select events such as the Sprint All-Star Race with Mark Martin driving a retro paint scheme featuring Budweiser/Folgers branding under Farmers Insurance sponsorship during 2011.

In late 2014, Nationwide Series Champion Chase Elliott was announced to pilot several races in a fifth Hendrick vehicle aimed at development. Officially numbered No.25 for five contests with NAPA Auto Parts sponsorship, Elliott averaged a finish position of 26.2 while preparing to succeed Jeff Gordon’s No.24 seat starting in 2016.

Performance Record for Car No. 25

Season	Driver	Car Number	Manufacturer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36		Points Earned
1986	Tim Richmond	25	Chevy	DAY 20th	RCH 22nd	CAR 16th	ATL 7th	BRI 8th	DAR 5th	NWS 12th	MAR 20th	TAL 12th	DOV 32nd	CLT 2nd	RSD 2nd*	POC 1st*	MCH 15th	DAY 1st	POC 1st	TAL 2nd	GLN 1st	MCH 2nd	BRI 6th	DAR 1st*	RCH 1st	DOV 26th	MAR 10th	NWS 11th	CLT 27th*	CAR 20th	ATL < small >4th </ small >	RSD < br /> < small >1st </ small >								3rd place overall	4147
1987				DAY	CAR	RCH	ATL	DAR	NWS	BRI	MAR	TAL	CLT	DOV	POC 1st*

Car No. 48 history

Jimmie Johnson (2001–2020)

The No. 48 team at Hendrick Motorsports entered the Cup Series in 2001 with the signing of Jimmie Johnson, who was in his second year competing in the Busch Series. Co-owned by Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, Johnson made his debut at Charlotte, starting 15th and finishing 39th. He advanced to full-time Cup racing in 2002, expanding Hendrick's stable to four cars. The No. 48 initially utilized vehicles from the No. 24 team, which developed new cars for that season. As a rookie, Johnson secured three victories and ended fifth in the championship standings, improving to runner-up with three wins in 2003.

Throughout the 2004 season, Johnson maintained a points lead for much of the year and entered the first-ever Chase positioned second behind Gordon. He won four races during the Chase but ultimately finished second overall. In 2005, after a crash cost him the points lead, he concluded the season in fifth place. Johnson captured his inaugural Daytona 500 victory in 2006 despite crew chief Chad Knaus serving a suspension; that year also saw wins at the All-Star Challenge and Brickyard 400, culminating in his first Cup championship. He successfully defended his title in 2007, amassing ten wins and contributing significantly to Hendrick’s dominant total of eighteen victories that year.

Johnson matched Cale Yarborough’s record by winning a third consecutive championship in 2008 and became the first driver to achieve four straight titles in 2009. He extended this unprecedented streak to five consecutive championships in 2010. One of the highlights of his career came in 2011 with NASCAR’s closest finish ever at Talladega; however, he ended that season sixth in points—the first time outside the top five since becoming a full-time competitor. The team rebounded strongly in 2012, winning five races but finishing third overall.

In 2013, Johnson earned his second Daytona 500 win along with his sixth championship. Following this peak, his performance declined somewhat: he placed eleventh in points in 2014 and tenth both in 2015 and 2017 despite multiple race victories. Nevertheless, he secured a record-tying seventh championship title in 2016.

Johnson qualified for NASCAR playoffs fifteen consecutive seasons through 2018 but failed to capture a win that year; a late-race spin at Charlotte Roval led to his playoff elimination. In March 2018, Lowe's concluded nearly two decades as primary sponsor; Ally Financial took over sponsorship duties beginning in 2019. Crew chief changes included Kevin Meendering replacing Knaus at the start of 2019, followed by Cliff Daniels stepping in midseason amid struggles with performance.

After a crash at Indianapolis, Johnson missed the playoffs for the first time since their inception and finished a career-low eighteenth in points during the 2019 season. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted his final full-time campaign in 2020, including missing the Brickyard race due to a positive diagnosis. In his farewell race at Phoenix, Johnson finished fifth while teammate Chase Elliott clinched the championship—symbolizing a passing of leadership within Hendrick Motorsports.

The remarkable success of the No. 48 team was largely due to the exceptional collaboration between driver Johnson and crew chief Knaus, supported by adept engineers such as Charlie Langenstein, who was renowned for technical expertise within Hendrick Motorsports.

Alex Bowman (2021–present)

On October 6, 2020, Hendrick Motorsports announced that Alex Bowman would take over driving duties for the No. 48 car starting with the 2021 season, paired with crew chief Greg Ives. Bowman ended an extended winless stretch for the No. 48 by claiming victories at Richmond, Dover (which marked Hendrick’s first-ever top-four finish), and Pocono—securing a spot in the playoffs. However, he incurred a penalty that docked points for utilizing an unauthorized engine sourced from another team during the year.

Bowman advanced into the Round of 12 but was eliminated following subpar results late in the postseason. In 2022, he earned a win at Las Vegas but suffered a concussion at Texas that forced him to miss several races; Noah Gragson filled in as substitute driver during this period. These setbacks contributed to another Round of 12 playoff exit.

The beginning of Bowman’s 2023 campaign featured a fifth-place finish at Daytona but was overshadowed by significant penalties: an L2 violation resulted in point deductions and suspension of crew chief Blake Harris; subsequently an L1 penalty arose from post-race car modifications after Richmond, leading to further points loss and suspension for interim crew chief Greg Ives. Bowman also endured a back injury while competing in sprint car events; relief driver Josh Berry stepped in during his recovery.

Early in 2024, Bowman secured second place at Daytona behind teammate William Byron and ended an eighty-race victory drought by winning on Chicago’s street circuit. Despite finishing eighteenth at Charlotte Roval, post-race inspection disqualified his car for failing weight requirements—eliminating him prior to the Round of 8.

This chronology highlights Hendrick Motorsports’ adept management of driver transitions and sponsorship shifts while sustaining competitive excellence and strong market presence within NASCAR’s premier division.

Car No. 48 results

Year	Driver	No.	Make	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Pts
2001	Jimmie Johnson	48	Chevy	DAY	CAR	LVS	ATL	DAR	BRI	TEX	MAR	TAL	CAL	RCH	CLT	DOV	MCH	POC	SON	DAY	CHI	NHA	POC	IND	GLN	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	KAN	CLT 39	MAR	TAL	PHO	CAR	HOM 25	ATL 29	NHA	52nd	210
2002 ... [Data continues for each year with similar format, omitted for brevity] ...
2025				... [Data continues for the ongoing season] ...

Car No. 88 history

Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2008–2017)

On June 13, 2007, Dale Earnhardt Jr., a prominent figure and influential executive in NASCAR, declared his transition to Hendrick Motorsports for the upcoming season of 2008, piloting the No. 88 vehicle following a number transfer from Robert Yates Racing. This move incorporated sponsorship from Amp Energy (PepsiCo) and the Army National Guard, aligning key brands with Hendrick’s strategic business objectives to expand market presence. Initially, Earnhardt’s cousin Tony Eury Jr. fulfilled crew chief responsibilities but was succeeded by Lance McGrew in the subsequent year to boost team effectiveness.

In a significant organizational shift in 2011, Hendrick consolidated operations by relocating Earnhardt Jr., his sponsors, and crew chief Steve Letarte into the shared facility with the No. 24 and No. 48 teams, reflecting a strategic realignment designed to enhance competitive positioning. Sponsorship evolved as PepsiCo switched from AMP Energy to Diet Mountain Dew in the following year, coinciding with Earnhardt’s resurgence marked by multiple Chase qualifications. Nonetheless, concussion-related health challenges in late-2012 curtailed his participation, prompting Regan Smith to temporarily assume driving duties.

Earnhardt Jr.'s pinnacle business success occurred in the year of 2014, capturing four victories including the prestigious Daytona 500, underscoring his strong market influence. After Letarte departed for a broadcasting role with NASCAR on NBC in early-2015, Greg Ives from JR Motorsports was appointed as crew chief, signaling Hendrick’s commitment to cultivating internal talent. The Army National Guard concluded its sponsorship in August of that year; Nationwide Insurance stepped in for the following season, maintaining robust corporate alliances.

Toward the end of the year in late-2015, Axalta Coating Systems transitioned their sponsorship from the No. 24 to the No. 88 car as part of Hendrick’s comprehensive sponsorship portfolio management strategy. In early-2016, recurring concussion symptoms once again limited Earnhardt’s racing schedule; substitute drivers Alex Bowman and Jeff Gordon filled in until Earnhardt announced his retirement in April of the subsequent year, concluding a notable chapter in Hendrick Motorsports’ history.

Alex Bowman (2018–2020)

On July 20, 2017, Hendrick Motorsports announced Alex Bowman as the driver for the No. 88 vehicle beginning with the 2018 season, continuing a deliberate leadership succession plan following Earnhardt Jr.’s retirement. While Bowman did not secure any wins during his rookie campaign, he successfully qualified for the playoffs, indicating steady progress and growth.

The following year, Bowman demonstrated marked improvement with three consecutive runner-up finishes and earned an invitation to the All-Star Race through fan voting—highlighting increased fan engagement and brand visibility. Nationwide Insurance terminated its five-year sponsorship prematurely in that season, impacting team funding streams. Subsequently, Cincinnati Inc., a tool manufacturer, entered into a significant decade-long partnership with Hendrick Motorsports in September 2019 that included primary sponsorship of the No. 88 car—exemplifying strategic investment aimed at long-term financial stability.

Bowman achieved his maiden NASCAR Cup victory at Chicagoland Speedway in June 2019 and concluded that season ranked twelfth overall despite elimination after the Round of 12 playoffs.

During the disrupted campaign of 2020, Bowman secured his second career triumph at Auto Club Speedway and attained a personal best sixth place finish in final standings—strengthening his professional standing as an emerging leader within NASCAR's competitive arena.

On October 6, 2020, Hendrick Motorsports revealed Bowman would transition to their iconic No. 48 car starting with the 2021 season while Kyle Larson would take over driving duties for the newly revived No. 5 vehicle—resulting in Hendrick discontinuing use of the No. 88 in Cup Series competition. This strategic restructuring reflects evolving corporate priorities designed to optimize competitive performance and expand market influence across Hendrick’s operations worldwide.

Car No. 88 Performance Summary

... [Data truncated to highlight key achievements] ...

Year	Driver	No.	Manufacturer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Points
2008	Dale Earnhardt Jr.	88	Chevy	DAY 9	CAL 40	LVS 2	ATL 3	BRI 5	MAR 6*	TEX 12	PHO 7	TAL 10	RCH 15	DAR 4	CLT 5*	DOV 35	POC 4	MCH 1	SON 12	NHA 24	DAY 8*	CHI 16	IND 12	POC 12	GLN 22	MCH 23	BRI 18	CAL 11	RCH 4	NHA 5	DOV < br /> < small >24 < / small >	KAN < br /> < small >13 < / small >
2020																															6th place	2371 points

Additional entries

Car No. 35 (1987)

In 1987, Benny Parsons stepped in to drive Hendrick's secondary team, replacing Tim Richmond in the No. 35 vehicle, with Richmond’s crew chief Harry Hyde overseeing the operations. Parsons commenced the season with a runner-up finish at the Daytona 500 and completed the full schedule, ending the year sixteenth in the championship standings, achieving six top-five and nine top-ten finishes. The organization briefly expanded to four cars when Richmond made a comeback for eight events.

Car No. 44 (2005–2006)

Terry Labonte assumed driving duties of the No. 44 car in 2005 following his announcement of semi-retirement; this number paid tribute to his 1984 championship title. With sponsorship from Kellogg's, Pizza Hut, and GMAC/Ditech.com, Labonte participated on a part-time basis over two seasons. His final appearance took place at Texas Motor Speedway in November 2006, featuring a special Kellogg's paint design. Although intending to retire, Labonte continued occasional or substitute driving roles until 2014.

Car No. 46 (1993)

The No. 46 car was entered by Hendrick for two events in 1993: Al Unser Jr.'s sole NASCAR appearance at the Daytona 500, backed by Valvoline sponsorship, and Buddy Baker’s unsuccessful qualifying attempt at Talladega with DuPont support.

Car No. 58 (1995)

Hendrick fielded the No. 58 Leukemia Society Chevrolet during Atlanta’s season finale in 1995 as a safety vehicle to assist Jeff Gordon’s bid for his inaugural championship. Initially assigned to Jimmy Horton, Jeff Purvis replaced him due to injury. Gordon secured the championship by preserving track position while Purvis finished in 26th place. The No. 58 designation reappeared in 2001 as the No. 48 car.

Car No. 60 (2002–2003)

The No. 60 Chevrolet, sponsored by Haas Automation and NetZero, represented a joint effort between Hendrick and Gene Haas ahead of Haas CNC Racing’s debut. Jack Sprague attempted six races in 2002, qualifying three times with a top result of 30th at Homestead. In 2003, the car was utilized as Hendrick’s research and development platform with test driver David Green competing in four restrictor plate events and achieving a best finish of 32nd. Brian Vickers made his debut driving the No. 60 at Charlotte before transitioning to the No. 25 vehicle. The No. 60 withdrew from the Homestead finale after failing pre-race inspection.

Car No. 84 (2004)

Kyle Busch made his NASCAR debut at age eighteen behind the wheel of the No. 84 Carquest Chevrolet; he selected this number as an inversion of his later primary number, 48. His first start occurred at Las Vegas Motor Speedway where he qualified eighteenth but retired prematurely due to engine failure. Busch competed in five additional races during that year, recording a best finish of twenty-fourth at California and averaging a finishing position of 35.2 across six starts, which included several DNFs and DNQs.

Days of Thunder

During the years 1989 and 1990, Hendrick Motorsports served as technical consultants for the motion picture Days of Thunder, providing fourteen race cars along with camera-equipped vehicles to film racing sequences. Principal scenes were captured during the 1989 Autoworks 500 at Phoenix International Raceway and the 1990 Daytona 500, where cars ran approximately one hundred miles before entering pit road early.

At Phoenix, Hendrick qualified two film cars: the No. 46 City Chevrolet driven by Greg Sacks and the No. 51 Exxon Lumina piloted by Bobby Hamilton. A third entry, the No. 18 Hardee's Lumina driven by Tommy Ellis, failed to qualify. Although not intended to compete seriously, Hamilton qualified fifth and led five laps before withdrawing from competition. Sacks finished second in the No. 46 during the Busch Clash exhibition race held at Daytona early in 1990.

Following production, Sacks continued part-time with Hendrick’s R&D program throughout 1990, running various events in multiple car numbers including Nos. 46, 18 (backed by Ultra Slim Fast), and substituting for Darrell Waltrip in No.17. He achieved a runner-up finish at Talladega and earned a pole position at Daytona but was released after Slim Fast ended its sponsorship and the team was dissolved at year’s end.

This partnership significantly boosted Hendrick Motorsports’ brand recognition while showcasing its technical capabilities within NASCAR, reinforcing its competitive edge and industry presence during that era.

Supplementary vehicle outcomes

...

Season	Competitor	Car No.	Manufacturer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25	26	27	28	29	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	Owners	Points
1985	Dick Brooks	1	Chevy	DAY	RCH	CAR	ATL	BRI	DAR	NWS	MAR	TAL	DOV	CLT 10	RSD	POC	MCH	DAY	POC	TAL	MCH	BRI	DAR	RCH	DOV	MAR	NWS	CLT	CAR	ATL	RSD
1986	Brett Bodine	2		... [table continues with similar data, omitted for brevity] ...