Rick Hendrick started Hendrick Motorsports in 1984, originally called All-Star Racing. NASCAR legend Geoff Bodine drove in the team’s first race, the 1984 Daytona 500. However, due to a lack of sponsors, the team was set to shut down after just a few races. Bodine’s run at Martinsville, where he led 55 laps before taking the checkered flag ahead of Bobby Allison, marked the team’s first win.

This instilled confidence in the team, which went on to become the most successful in the history of the sport. Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, HMS has won 14 NASCAR Cup Series owner and driver championships, one Xfinity championship, and three Truck Series championships. The team’s most recent victory came in 2021, courtesy of Kyle Larson. Rick Hendrick recently reflected on the team’s struggles, particularly their inability to secure a title in the past two years, which is uncharacteristic for them.

Rick Hendrick dwelled on HMS’s struggles

This season is shaping up to have HMS written all over it. First, all four of its drivers qualified for the playoffs, and nearly all of them advanced to the Round of 8. In the recent Charlotte ROVAL race, Kyle Larson claimed his sixth win of the season. William Byron finished third, and Chase Elliott placed fifth, both securing enough points to advance to the next round.

Even Alex Bowman, despite his P18 finish, was among the eight to qualify. However, the #48 driver failed the post-race weight inspection, resulting in his disqualification and the loss of all points earned. Despite this setback, it’s shaping up to be a strong year for HMS, especially after NASCAR’s most successful team has yet to secure a championship in the Next-Gen era. Post the ROVAL race, Rick Hendrick dwelled upon the team’s challenges and plans.

He said, “Not getting the deal done and winning it back-to-back and then going two years. And having cars out there, just not being able to close the deal. That has been something we talked about offseason, early in the season, and I hear our guys now are talking about Phoenix. Not trying to get ahead of where we are, but knowing if we get there, we want to finish the job.”

The team is renowned for securing back-to-back championships on two occasions. They won four or more championships in a row twice, first from 1995 to 1998 and then again from 2006 to 2010. Such is the dominance of HMS, with 312 Cup Series victories to date. In the 2023 season, the team came close to another title. William Byron dominated the first half of the Phoenix race, and Kyle Larson led the final laps, poised for victory. However, Ryan Blaney showcased his prowess by taking the lead and ultimately winning the championship. Larson ended the season in P2, with Byron finishing P3.

Coming this close is what, according to Rick Hendrick, has pumped up the team, perhaps is the reason behind their successful campaign so far. “Nothing fuels you more than get to that final race and not being able to close the deal. You go to the offseason thinking about you got two cars there, and you didn’t get to close a deal.” Hendrick added. With more than 30 percent of the field being dominated by HMS in the round of 8, the team might get its 15th title.

What are Hendrick Motorsports’ championship chances this year?

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While HMS would have loved to have all four drivers in the Championship 4, Bowman’s disqualification has dashed those hopes. However, having three out of four still remains a strong possibility. After the ROVAL race, Larson leads the playoff standings with a +33 points cushion, Byron is in fourth place with a +4 points advantage above the cutline, and Elliott is -9 points below the cutoff line. Among the three, both Elliott and Larson are former champions, while Byron was part of the Championship 4 last year.

Rick Hendrick is hopeful of their chances this year. “As the field gets down to eight, you’ve got a good shot at getting someone, hopefully more than one, in the final four. Right now I think we’re running good enough to get – I won’t say we’re going to be lucky enough or even, you know, we get to all four in the final four. That would be an ideal thing if we could do that, but as long as we can show up and be good every week and hopefully have better luck than bad luck, then that’s our job,” He said.

To make it to the Championship 4, the next round must start on a high note for the team. The next race is in Las Vegas, where Larson has long dominated the track, having won the race in his last two appearances. Byron’s last two races also resulted in top-10 finishes, with his most recent performance being a P10 in the spring race. Meanwhile, Elliott secured a P12 finish in the most recent race on that track. Overall, the HMS team looks strong and is poised to contend for a championship this season.

Who do you think will be crowned the champion this year? Let us know in the comments below.