It was just on May 29th that Hendrick Motorsport celebrated the 30th anniversary of Jeff Gordon’s first NASCAR Cup Series win. Both the driver and the team came forward to talk about their achievements, and ever since then, the team has been in motion. Now that we are approaching the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard, there’s yet another milestone for Hendrick Motorsport, as it is also the 30th anniversary of their first win at the prestigious race.

As this year marks a big anniversary for the driver who took 41 starts to get to the front, the team has planned a celebration at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It’s none other than Jeff Gordon, again.

However, this win was not just a big one for the driver and team, Gordon inaugurated the track with a win when it was first added to NASCAR back in 1994. Being such an important day for the team, Rick Hendrick himself will be taking part in celebrating their win at the World Capital of Motorsports.

Jeff Gordon, who won the first-ever Brickyard 400, definitely made history. So, not missing a chance to celebrate this in style, Rick Hendrick has decided to take to the steering wheel. According to Nathan Brown, as he took to X and wrote, “This weekend, Rick Hendrick will be driving the honorary pace car at the 30th Brickyard 400 race. It’s a special tribute because it marks 30 years since a big moment in NASCAR. Back in 1994, Jeff Gordon won the very first Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.”

Along with driving the pace car, Rick Hendrick recently made a big revelation about the track and their win at Indianapolis as he came forward to say, “Time goes by fast; I can’t believe it’s been four decades since we started Hendrick Motorsports and 30 years since Jeff Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400. I’ll never forget the excitement around that event and the thrill of winning a race in Indianapolis.” This was a big win for the team, as this was what propelled Jeff Gorden to win the NASCAR Winston Cup Series back in 1995.

Rick Hendrick further shared his gratitude to everyone who has been with him on the journey, saying, “I’m grateful to our 40-year partners at Chevrolet for the opportunity to drive a Pace Car for the first time. I also want to thank my great friend Roger Penske and everyone at the track. Taking the field to green on Sunday will be something I’ll always remember.”  It is a big day for the team, as they get to celebrate this iconic win 30 years after they achieved it.

This time, not only does the driver get the credit, but the team owner gets to celebrate his efforts by having the honor of driving the pace car for the first time. That being said, with it being a 30-year anniversary of multiple race wins, here is what Jeff Gordon had to say about his first-ever win at the Coca-Cola 600.

Gordon breaks down the 1994 Coca-Cola 600

Prior to his first win, Jeff Gordon had shown promise with several top-five and top-10 finishes but had not secured a victory in his rookie year of 1993. By 1994, driving the iconic No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon was gaining momentum despite a mixed start to the season.

His breakthrough came at Charlotte Motor Speedway, a track he cherished due to its significance in his career. He qualified on the pole for the Coca-Cola 600, showcasing his speed early in the weekend.

During the race, Jeff Gordon faced tough competition from Rusty Wallace and Geoff Bodine, both of whom led significant portions of the 400-lap event. Crew chief Ray Evernham made a pivotal call late in the race, opting for a two-tire pit stop while others took four tires. This decision allowed Gordon to leapfrog ahead during the final round of pit stops, positioning him for victory. After crossing the finish line 3.91 seconds ahead of Wallace, Gordon was visibly moved, reflecting the immense pressure and uncertainty he had faced before securing his first Cup Series win.

Gordon’s win was not just a career milestone but a deeply emotional moment. As the driver said after the race, “The first win at the Coca-Cola 600 stands out. We didn’t get a win in ’93 in my rookie season, but we came close. To pull off that first win at one of my favorite tracks—one of the first tracks I ever drove on was the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Throughout my career, it was one of my favorite tracks. To get the win, there was something very special and emotional.”

The team has come a long way since it started 40 years ago. Now one of the most successful teams on the grid, Hendrick Motorsports has managed to get all their drivers into the playoffs. Considering that, do you think they have a shot at claiming the championship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.