Rick Hendrick sent his team to Martinsville with a big dream and they rewarded his efforts with a 1-2-3 finish. Willaim Byron, who started the race at P18 showed massive character to secure his third win of the 2024 season, ahead of teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Eliott. It was Hendrick Motorsports’ 28th win at the Virginia track.
The HMS drivers were joined by over a group of 1500 employees and families of Rick Hendrick in the post-race celebrations. They posed for images with race winner William Byron, his three teammates, their crew chiefs alongside the No: 5, 9, 24 and 48 Chevy team crew and the vice-chairman of HMS, Jeff Gordon .
They attended the event to support HMS in the 40th anniversary of their first ever Cup race win. In 1984, when HMS were All Star Racing, that years Martinsville race was a make a break event as a defeat meant the end of their team. Geoff Bodine that day saved them by securing the victory and starting their journey to become the most dominant team ever in the sport.
The tragic death of Rick Hendrick’s family at Virgnia in a plane crash makes it a race worth winning every time for them. HMS came to the weekend with all four of their driver’s in Ruby Red fire suit and paint-scheme. Names of Rick’s wife Lisa was engraved in Kyle Larson’s car as well as part of their tribute.
Jeff Gordon details what the win means to HMS
Four times NASCAR Cup champion with HMS, Jeff Gordon was over the moon after Byron’s win on Sunday. He pointed out that the win means a lot to the Hendrick family and everyone at the team realizes it. The VC also highlighted Byron’s impressive race and charge to victory.
There’s not a person in our organization didn’t realize winning today how much that was going to mean to Rick Hendrick, Linda Hendrick, to Hendrick Motorsports. Gosh, I mean, you look at William, he’s been stepping it up at the big milestone wins for this company. Immediately looked up on the hill and saw all those ruby red shirts just going nuts. Now they’re out there waiting to have a picture with our whole organization. You just cannot plan it any better, script it any better. Jeff Gordon said.
Each of William Byron’s victories like this one is special for Jeff Gordon, as he is driving the iconic No:24 car thar Gordan used to dominate races in. It always adds an extra layer of happiness. The 1—2-3 finish and Chase Eliott getting back to form also makes the NASCAR legend happy.
More must-reads: