Rick Hendrick on 40th-anniversary win: Never ‘had one that means any more’

While Rick Hendrick couldn’t be in Martinsville for the race, he was more than proud of his organization for their efforts at The Paperclip. The first 1-2-3 finish for an organization at Martinsville in NASCAR Cup Series history.

Of course, it’s the 40th anniversary of Hendrick Motorsports. The 40th anniversary of that legendary win by Geoff Bodine at Martinsville. William Byron and his crew chief Rudy Fugle pulled the perfect pit strategy on the final green flag stops.

In overtime, the Hendrick cars battled for the lead but Byron was the best of them. He claims his third win. Byron also won Hendrick’s 300th race last season. In the last couple of seasons he has made a lot of history at HMS.

Rick Hendrick is proud of his organization. He called into FS1 after the race to talk about the historic day.

“It was a special day and I never thought that we’d end up running one through three and when that caution came out I thought, ‘Man, we’re in trouble,'” Hendrick told FS1. “I’ve been there before when we were one, two and then there was a caution and we end up running, I don’t know fourth or fifth.

“So, it’s just a great day for all of our people to celebrate 40 years and come back to that at Martinsville and run one, two, three. And all the people that are going to stay and go down and celebrate with the drivers, so wish I was there. But I’m getting my leg fixed.”

Larry McReynolds asked him what pit strategy he preferred. Mr. H was happy to see his drivers stay out on that final caution flag.

“I tell you Larry I don’t think I’ve ever been that nervous and was hoping that they wouldn’t pit was hoping enough folks stayed out there with us,” Hendrick said. “But man, my heart now is just getting back to normal, I think.”

Finally, Rick Hendrick was asked where this win ranks among all of the wins. More than 300 of them. In the postrace glory, Hendrick says this one ranks up there with all of the best. Perhaps, it is the best.

“I think when I look at the fact we are celebrating 40 years and we have been planning this for so long and then I had to have this operation couldn’t be there. … As Larry said, if we hadn’t won that race we wouldn’t, I wouldn’t be talking to you guys today,” the team owner reflected. “I don’t know what we’d be doing. Such a momentous occasion I guess. I’m uh, I don’t think I’ve ever had one that means any more than this one. Maybe that first one that kept us going but this is a special day.”

What a day for Rick Hendrick. What a day for Hendrick Motorsports. More than 1000 employees were in attendance for the 1-2-3 finish. All decked out in ruby red.