Hendrick Motorsports has established itself as NASCAR’s most successful and revered team with a record 296 Cup Series titles and 14 Cup Series owners and drivers’ championship titles. Led by the legendary Rick Hendrick, the HMS team, since its inception in 1984, has fielded most of NASCAR’s ‘G.O.A.Ts’. Be it the seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson or everyone’s beloved Dale Earnhardt Jr, HMS has fielded them all. Boasting an impressive stable of drivers throughout the years, Rick Hendrick’s parting ways with multiple NASCAR legends had the entire community in shock. 

In light of William Byron claiming the Quaker State 400 title, NASCAR insider Brett Griffin has credited HMS’ success to Rick Hendrick’s farsighted approach.

Brett Griffin credits Rick Hendrick’s genius

Once calling Hendrick Motorsports their home, NASCAR icons Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Kasey Kahne parted ways with the NASCAR giant. Earning tons of awards and accolades during their stay at HMS, Rick Hendrick’s decision to hand over the icons’ seats to younger drivers was frowned upon by the entire community. After all, who in their right mind would replace NASCAR’s best drivers with rookies, right? Well, Rick Hendrick did. Letting go of the older icons, the HMS owner brought in William Byron, Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman, and Kyle Larson. 

Having stirred up a storm with his thunderous decision, the fruits of Rick Hendrick’s genius were not apparent until recently. Speaking of the ‘Door Bumper Clear’ podcast, Kaulig Racing spotter Brett Griffin lauded Rick Hendrick’s genius move. “This guy(William Byron) has set the world on fire this year. You look at what Rick Hendrick did with him, and Chase Elliott, Alex Bowman. I remember us say, ‘You are replacing Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr, and Kasey Kahne. Well how the hell do you do that?,’“Griffin said.

Outlining how Rick Hendrick’s controversial move granted HMS massive success, the Kaulig Racing spotter added, “Well now it looks like he knows what he was doing. I mean earlier in the year before, Alex got hurt, he was leading the points. So I mean, Hendrick Motorsports once again, you know, the cream rises to the top, and here we are.”

After their departure from HMS, the iconic teammates went their separate way, turning their attention toward new ventures.

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What are the icons up to today? 

Driving the #48 for Hendrick Motorsports from 2001 to 2020, Jimmie Johnson retired from full-time racing post his final season at HMS. Purchasing an ownership stake in the Petty GMS Motorsports rebranded Legacy Motor Club in November 2020, Johnson now drives the part-time #84 Chevy for his co-owned team. After driving HMS’ #24 from 1993 to 2015, Jeff Gordon stuck with Rick Hendrick, now serving as the team’s vice chairman.

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 car from 2012 to 2017, teamed up with Leavine Family Racing for the 2018 season. Not achieving much success post his HMS departure, Kahne returned to dirt racing. Driving the Kasey Kahne Racing #9 car, Kahne now competes full time in the World of Outlaws. 

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Following a 10-year run with Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the #88, Dale Jr now races sporadically in the Xfinity Series for his team JR Motorsports. He also focuses on his career as a commentator for NBC and his CARS Tours venture.