40 Years of History: Hendrick Motorsports’ First Victory in NASCAR Came on This Day at Martinsville

Hendrick Motorsports has come a long way since its inception back in 1984. Famous for the tag “winningest team” in NASCAR, Rick Hendrick’s team boasts 301 point-paying race victories and a staggering 14 championships. They also surpass others in terms of pole positions, top-10 finishes, top-5 finishes, and the total number of laps led. Despite already possessing a plethora of accolades, Hendrick Motorsports continues to maintain consistency.

Let’s rewind the clock to a pivotal moment in Hendrick Motorsports’ history, i.e., their inaugural victory in the Cup Series. The win does not only act as a mere record for the management. It prevented Rick Hendrick from shutting down the team later that year due to a lack of funding.

Geoff Bodine won the first race

Legendary Geoff Bodine won the first-ever race for HMS at Martinsville Speedway. The celebration of his 35th birthday on track with his wife and other crew staff will be etched forever in the minds of NASCAR fans. While HMS management prepares for the 40th anniversary of that incident with utmost grandeur, ‘Nascarman’ shared the nostalgic moment on their X account.

During that unforgettable race, Geoff Bodine, behind the wheel of the No. 5 car, skillfully fended off his rivals and ultimately led the final 49 laps on the challenging, flat half-mile track. This victory was a defining moment for the nascent team, and it fueled the aspirations of team owner Rick Hendrick. Bodine opened up after that race, terming it a “beautiful” yet emotional experience, so much so that his wife, Kathy Bodine, was in tears. Unfortunately, team owner Rick Hendrick missed the race due to his engagement in North Carolina.

Following Geoff Bodine’s initial victory at Martinsville, Hendrick Motorsports has secured an impressive 27 additional wins at this iconic racetrack. It remains their most successful venue, with Dover coming in as the second-closest track with 22 victories.

Celebrating 40 years in style at Martinsville Speedway!

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As Hendrick Motorsports gears up to commemorate its 40th anniversary at Martinsville Speedway, the celebrations promise excitement and nostalgia. All four drivers’ cars will be a part of this makeover. This includes Larson’s No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Elliott’s No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Byron’s No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Bowman’s No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

They will proudly sport ruby red paint schemes on their Chevrolet cars, symbolizing this significant milestone. Throughout the weekend, there will be ample recognition of this achievement, including Bodine’s car on display.

Geoff Bodine and Jeff Gordon will jointly serve as co-grand marshals, adding a touch of history to the festivities. The man behind it all, Rick Hendrick, will take the wheel as the honorary pace car driver. It would be interesting to see if history repeats itself on the same track after 40 years. The stakes are high, as they have been soaring this season along with JGR’s Toyota drivers.

Read More: HMS Legend Claims Jeff Gordon Doesn’t Have the Bragging Rights for #24 Anymore