How many NASCAR Championships does Hendrick Motorsports have? All you need to know
Hendrick Motorsports is among the most celebrated teams in NASCAR, having won a Cup Series championship in almost every decade of competition. Founded in 1984, Rick Hendrick's team has won 18 drivers’ championships across NASCAR’s three series, 14 of which were in the Cup Series.
The championship runs were rallied by some of the most iconic names in the sport’s history, including Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon.
As HMS celebrates its 40th anniversary, the Concord-based outfit earned a shot to add another championship trophy with William Byron qualified for the 2024 Championship 4. That would further bolster its title as the winningest team in the stock car racing league.
While the season finale has yet to commence, let’s learn more about the team's championship runs.
Hendrick Motorsports won 14 NASCAR Cup Series championships
Hendrick Motorsports won its first NASCAR Cup Series championship in 1995 with Jeff Gordon behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet. Gordon, who won his first championship at age 24, triumphed over NASCAR greats such as Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Sterling Martin.
Teammate Terry Labonte won HMS its second Cup Series championship the following year before Gordon secured back-to-back championships. The No. 24 clinched his fourth championship in 2001, a fifth for the Chevrolet-based team.
It wasn’t until 2006 that Hendrick Motorsports returned to the top step with Jimmie Johnson winning his first championship title. The No. 48 driver had dominated the premier series, securing the title for five consecutive seasons until 2010.
Jimmie Johnson gave HMS two more championships in 2013 and 2016. The 2016 season saw the California native tying Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. in most drivers’ championships at seven. Moreover, the milestone marked the team’s 12th title.
Hendrick Motorsports once again won a championship with a young driver named Chase Elliott in 2020. Elliott was 24 when he bagged his first title, making him the second-youngest driver to achieve the feat in the modern era behind Gordon.
The last time HMS was crowned a champion was in 2021 when Kyle Larson joined the team. In Larson's first year in the No. 5 Chevy, he won a Cup Series championship, a first for the driver and 14th for the team.
Now, William Byron could make it 15 if he wins the championship race at Phoenix Raceway this November 10. The No. 24 driver is going up against Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, and defending champion Ryan Blaney for the title.
Hendrick Motorsports championships in Xfinity and Truck Series
Outside the Cup Series, Hendrick Motorsports also won championships in the Xfinity Series and Truck Series. The team had one championship in the Xfinity Series and three titles in the Truck Series.
The Xfinity championship run was led by Brian Vickers in 2003. At the time, Vickers was the youngest champion in the feeder series at age 20. Today, HMS star Chase Elliott holds the record at age 18.
Meanwhile, the team had three championships in the Truck Series, all of which were won by Jack Sprague. The former NASCAR driver earned the series championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001.
To date, HMS is the winningest team in NASCAR, boasting 18 championships and over 300 Cup Series race wins.