Hendrick Motorsports Earns First NASCAR Victory of the Season at Martinsville

Team owner Rick Hendrick's motivational message sets the tone for Chase Elliott's win

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:33pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a NASCAR race at Martinsville Speedway, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the dynamic action and competition on the track.Hendrick Motorsports' strategic victory at Martinsville Speedway showcases the team's resilience and adaptability in the face of early-season challenges.Martinsville Today

In a race dominated by Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott and the Hendrick Motorsports team made a critical pit call that vaulted them to the front, allowing Elliott to lead the final 69 laps and earn his 22nd career NASCAR Cup Series victory. This marks the earliest in a season that Elliott has won, and it comes after a rough start for the powerhouse Hendrick organization.

Why it matters

Hendrick Motorsports is NASCAR's winningest team, with a record 31 victories at the historic Martinsville Speedway. This win is an important milestone for the team, which has faced some early-season struggles adjusting to a new Camaro body. The victory also comes at a poignant time, as Martinsville holds special meaning for team owner Rick Hendrick, who lost his son and other loved ones in a tragic plane crash at the track in 2004.

The details

Elliott started 10th and was not a factor early, as Hamlin led the first 292 of 317 laps from the pole. But crew chief Alan Gustafson made the critical call for an early pit stop that vaulted the No. 9 Chevrolet to the front. Elliott then led the final 69 laps for the win, despite having the sixth-fastest car according to NASCAR analytics.

  • Elliott earned his 22nd career NASCAR Cup Series victory on March 30, 2026.
  • This is the earliest in a season that Elliott has won a race.

The players

Rick Hendrick

The founder and owner of Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's winningest team with 31 victories at Martinsville Speedway and 15 championships.

Alan Gustafson

The crew chief for Chase Elliott and the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team, who made the critical pit call that put Elliott in position to win.

Chase Elliott

The 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion, who earned his first victory of the 2026 season at Martinsville Speedway.

Denny Hamlin

The driver who led the first 292 of 317 laps from the pole position before Elliott took the lead late in the race.

Jeff Gordon

The Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and former NASCAR champion driver, who discussed the team's approach to overcoming early-season struggles.

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What they’re saying

“He just basically was super positive. The quote from him was: 'This is a marathon, not a 10K race. We're in it for the long run. Regardless of the way it starts, it's about the way it finishes.'”

— Alan Gustafson, Crew Chief, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports

“Man, this is awesome. We've never done that. Going into the off week with the win is really cool. I know we still have a lot of room for improvement, don't get me wrong, but a great way to cap off this first stretch. A lot of good momentum for the whole organization.”

— Chase Elliott, Driver, No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports

“I hate it when we go through stuff like this, but we've been through this before. You lean on your tools more. You get back to the basics.”

— Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports

What’s next

The Hendrick Motorsports team will look to build on this victory during the upcoming off week before returning to action at the next NASCAR Cup Series race.

The takeaway

Hendrick Motorsports' first victory of the 2026 season at the historic Martinsville Speedway showcases the team's resilience and the importance of an engaged, motivational owner in Rick Hendrick. This win provides a much-needed boost of momentum for the organization as it works to overcome early-season challenges and contend for another championship.