Hendrick Faces Early-Season Drought Heading to Martinsville

Winless start has powerhouse team looking to rebound at a track it has long dominated

Mar. 24, 2026 at 9:39pm

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Six races into the NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest team in the sport's history, is winless entering Sunday's Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. Despite having three drivers - Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Kyle Larson - in the top 10 in points, the Chevrolet-powered team is looking to end its drought at a track where it has historically dominated.

Why it matters

Hendrick Motorsports' winless start is notable given the team's long-standing success at Martinsville Speedway, where it has won 30 times - the most of any Cup team at an individual track. The team's struggles this season have come as Toyota drivers have claimed five wins, while Ford has one, leaving Chevrolet teams searching for their first victory.

The details

Through six races, Hendrick's three drivers have combined for four top-five finishes, but they have yet to visit Victory Lane. In contrast, Toyota's new superstar Tyler Reddick has won four of the season's first seven races. While Chevrolet teams are racing with a new nose configuration, there has been little attempt to blame the changes on the lack of wins. The last time Chevrolet failed to win in the season's first six races was in 2019, and Hendrick has never gone past the third race without a victory in the past five seasons.

  • Six races into the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season
  • Sunday's Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway

The players

Hendrick Motorsports

The winningest team in NASCAR history, with 30 victories at Martinsville Speedway - the most of any Cup team at an individual track.

Chase Elliott

One of Hendrick's three drivers in the top 10 in points, with a pair of top-five finishes through six races.

William Byron

Another Hendrick driver, who has won three of the past eight races at Martinsville and is considered a leading candidate for the team's first win of the season.

Kyle Larson

The third Hendrick driver in the top 10 in points, who has finished in the top six in the past seven races at Martinsville after struggling there early in his career.

Tyler Reddick

The Toyota driver who has won four of the season's first seven races and is threatening to run away with the point standings, though he is still climbing the mountain that is Martinsville.

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The takeaway

Hendrick Motorsports' winless start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season has raised questions about the team's struggles, particularly as Toyota and Ford drivers have found success. However, the team's long history of dominance at Martinsville Speedway provides hope that it can end its drought at a track where it has won 30 times - the most of any Cup team at an individual circuit.