CONCORD, N.C. - During Rick Hendrick's four-plus decades in NASCAR, race cars have gone through many iterations of size, shape, weight and rules packages.
But a wooden car? Well, that brings us to this week's Hendrick Motorsports artifact of the week!
We couldn't help but notice that Martinsville Speedway looms this weekend and if ever there was a track on the NASCAR Cup Series slate that has served as the backdrop for big moments for the organization, it's the half-mile paperclip in Virginia. And littered around the Concord, North Carolina-based campus are grandfather clocks, race-winning cars and other trinkets tied to the complex.
Yet, per usual, when it comes to finding something most folks have never seen, Hendrick Motorsports archivist Sam Ulrich came through.
This week, we present a wooden, hand-carved replica of Geoff Bodine's All-Star Racing Chevrolet, the one that went to victory lane in 1984 and quite literally, saved Hendrick Motorsports. The victory served as the first of 29 for Hendrick Motorsports at Martinsville, the most any organization has ever won at any track.
The carving was a staple in Hendrick's office at City Chevrolet for quite some time. It can be seen on a desk in a picture from an article in Grand National Illustrated from March of 1987.
Yet, that victory was just the beginning of a decorated history at one of NASCAR's most storied circuits. And what do you know about those 41-plus years of success?
Prove it. And win!
Take our weekly quiz for a shot at winning a prize. Up for grabs this week, a full set of 1:64 diecasts of the four schemes that took to the track at Martinsville Speedway last spring.
All four cars adorned special, ruby red paint schemes in celebration of Hendrick Motorsports' 40th anniversary. William Byron won the event with Kyle Larson finishing second and Chase Elliott third in yet another unforgettable finish at the paperclip. And you can own them all.
Participants with the highest scores will be entered into a random drawing to win. Last week, Matt Pitcher of Seneca Falls, New York, correctly answered 5 of 7 trivia questions on Homestead-Miami Speedway, winning a Chase Elliott diecast.
Be sure to check in every week for a new artifact, a new quiz and another chance to win!