Hendrick Motorsports Scores First 2026 Win at Martinsville

Chase Elliott's victory at the historic Virginia short track marks a turnaround for NASCAR's winningest organization.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:33am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, multi-perspective painting featuring sharp, overlapping geometric planes of vibrant Hendrick Motorsports team colors, capturing the energy and movement of a NASCAR race at the historic Martinsville Speedway.Hendrick Motorsports' historic dominance at Martinsville Speedway is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the action on the track.Martinsville Today

After a winless start to the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season, Hendrick Motorsports and driver Chase Elliott broke through with a victory at Martinsville Speedway. Crew chief Alan Gustafson received a timely phone call from team owner Rick Hendrick on race day, reminding the team to approach the event as a marathon, not a sprint. Elliott's win, the seventh for Hendrick at Martinsville in the last 12 races, came after a savvy pit strategy and strong driving in the closing laps to hold off Denny Hamlin.

Why it matters

Martinsville has long been a stronghold for Hendrick Motorsports, the winningest organization in NASCAR history. After a slow start to the 2026 season, this victory marks a potential turning point as the team adjusts to a new car body style. The win also boosts Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, up to fourth in the standings heading into the first off-week of the year.

The details

Elliott's victory came after crew chief Alan Gustafson received a pre-race phone call from team owner Rick Hendrick, who advised the team to approach the race as a marathon, not a sprint. Gustafson's strategic pit calls helped Elliott gain track position, and timely cautions allowed the No. 9 team to maintain the lead in the closing laps. Elliott then held off a hard-charging Denny Hamlin to take the checkered flag.

  • On Sunday morning, March 30, 2026, before the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Chase Elliott won the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway on March 30, 2026.

The players

Rick Hendrick

The owner of Hendrick Motorsports, NASCAR's winningest organization.

Alan Gustafson

The crew chief for the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports team and driver Chase Elliott.

Chase Elliott

The driver of the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports car who won the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway.

Denny Hamlin

The driver who finished second to Chase Elliott at Martinsville Speedway.

Jeff Gordon

The Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports and a NASCAR Hall of Fame driver.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“He's just a master. He's amazing. His experience level of being in business and how important the people are, he knows how to read a room, he knows how to read people, and he knows how to motivate them when they need it most.”

— Jeff Gordon, Vice Chairman, Hendrick Motorsports

“Really cool. And going into an off week, too, which get to enjoy for two weeks, not one. Kind of nice. It's the little things, man. You kind of definitely learn to enjoy that stuff. Yeah, just nice to kind of get to end this first stretch of the season going into the off week with the win is really cool.”

— Chase Elliott

What’s next

The next race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule is the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway on April 13, 2026.

The takeaway

Hendrick Motorsports' victory at the historic Martinsville Speedway, a track the organization has long dominated, marks a potential turning point in their 2026 season. The timely phone call from team owner Rick Hendrick to crew chief Alan Gustafson provided the mental boost the No. 9 team needed, leading to Chase Elliott's first win of the year and a jump up the standings heading into the season's first off-week.