“It’s a Script”: Overjoyed Rick Hendrick Thanks His Stars After Historic Martinsville Sweep

Unfortunately, Rick Hendrick could not witness his drivers sweep the podium, 1-2-3, in a race that saw Hendrick Motorsports add to their tally of the most NASCAR wins on any race track with an impressive 29 at Martinsville. Promos throughout the week heavily featured the ‘ruby-red’ Hendrick Motorsports cars.

Then, William Byron added another chapter to the #24 Chevrolet’s impressive record at Martinsville, the ‘world’s fastest conveyor belt.’ Even Mr. H seemed to think it was a “script” straight from the heavens while unraveling his emotions to SiriusXM’s NASCAR Radio.

Rick Hendrick Reflects on a Hollywood-worthy Weekend at Martinsville

This year’s Cook Out 400 is being deemed historic for Hendrick Motorsports, considering their first victory came at this very race track with Geoff Bodine in April of 1984. Then named All-Star Racing, Bodine’s solo victory at Martinsville with legendary crew chief Harry Hyde ignited the spark that led to 14 championships in the next four decades for Rick Hendrick’s organization.

Nevertheless, HMS’s most recent victory of the 2024 season ironically also took place in Martinsville on Sunday, with three out of four Hendrick drivers finishing in the top three spots. The momentous occasion understandably has Rick Hendrick buzzing with excitement, considering it will likely be a topic of conversation for decades to come.

He told SiriusXM, “You have races that are important, you know, your first championship, and all of those. But this race will probably always be one the ones, I will look back and say, you know,  we go out there on our 40th anniversary at the place we won our first race and we end up running 1-2-3 and we had all these people, and all these promotions built just to designing those 40 Camaros and then to get all the sponsors let us paint them all ruby red. I mean… its a script.

Mr H then went on to clarify any vague speculations that could arise from a statement like that in today’s day and age. “The part that you can’t really make happen is that the ride can win, you know, let alone run 1-2-3.” 

Jeff Gordon Steps Up as ‘NextGen’ Leader

The fact that no other team has ever swept the podium at Martinsville only adds to the glory and intrigue surrounding William Byron’s third win of the season. However, with Mr H recovering from knee surgery back home in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jeff Gordon’s growing influence as Hendrick’s Vice Chairman was evident to all watching the race.

The former #24 driver was a resounding image of the next generation of NASCAR officials. During the final caution, Gordon appeared visibly distraught, maybe in recollection of the 2012 podium sweep attempt at Martinsville for HMS’ 200th victory, faced alongside Jimmie Johnson, which ultimately ended in disappointment. In post-race conversations, Gordon even paid his dues commendably to the 1500-odd Hendrick faithful present on race day to cheer for William Byron and co as the #24 car performed the jubilant burnouts off of Turn 2.

Rick Hendrick, on the other hand, watched on from the comfort of his home, still recovering from his recent knee replacement surgery. The plan was originally for Mr H himself to drive the pace car, following the ceremonial start led by former drivers Bodine and Gordon. However, due to his knee replacement surgery, this part of the 40th-anniversary celebration couldn’t happen. Nevertheless, the collective NASCAR community will look forward to a healthy recovery for Mr. Hendrick to come back and enthrall fans again soon.

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