Hendrick Motorsports is the top dog in NASCAR. Even the casual NASCAR fan understands that Rick Hendrick’s teams are equipped as well as anyone in the sport, probably better. With some of the highest-profile drivers, most-recognized sponsors, and highest-quality racecars. The drivers are a perfect mix of superstars and winners. Hendrick Motorsports is stacked, a monster of a motorsports mega-team. This monster is dangerous, and yet fans easily forget about of what these teams are capable.
Jeff Gordon hasn’t been performing as consistently as he did back in the ‘90s when he was winning championships. He has two wins already this season, surprising since he’d won one race since 2007, but is only ranked eighth in points standings due to eight finishes in 17th place or worse. Gordon is one of the best drivers on the circuit, one of the easiest to spot on the track in the 24 DuPont Chevrolet, and has a multitude of critics along with his huge fanbase. Hate him or love him, you can’t argue the statistics: Four Winston Cup championships, three Daytona 500 victories, and third-most wins all time. Gordon is a competitor and can’t be ruled out of any season or race.
Everyone likes Mark Martin. He’s competitive, but isn’t going to spin out a competitor for an advantage; he races hard and fair. Remember the 2007 Daytona 500, when Kevin Harvick edged past him while a huge wreck behind them should’ve brought out the caution flag before Martin lost the lead. He won five races in 2009 at 50 years old. He’s been the runner-up in Cup points standings five times, and is accurately described as the best driver to never win a championship.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver Award for the past 100 years. He was Budweiser’s best salesman, then went to Hendrick in 2008, making AMP the most popular energy drink. Since 2008, though, Junior’s won one race. He missed the Chase for the Sprint Cup in 2009 and 2010, and receives a lot of criticism for his lack of results with Hendrick. This season, he’s racing well, ranked seventh in points but only 52 points behind leader Kevin Harvick.
The most dominant driver since Dale Earnhardt Sr. drives the Lowe’s 48 for Hendrick. Jimmie Johnson has won five straight championships, an unreal statistic. Before Johnson’s streak, Cale Yarborough’s three-peat in the 1970’s was the longest streak. Johnson always seems to be in the right place, and has won both the close championships and the dominant ones. He’s the five-time defending champion and ranked fifth in points. Even if he doesn’t extend that streak this year, he is still and will be the top racer in the sport.