CONCORD, N.C. – When it comes to wins, Hendrick Motorsports has paced the field at Darlington Raceway.
In 55 races at “The Lady in Black,” the organization has reached Victory Lane 14 times, the most all-time of all Cup Series teams.
Jimmie Johnson most recently won at the track “too tough too tame” – and in the process, he captured Hendrick Motorsports its historic 200th victory.
Starting the May 12, 2012 event in second, Johnson led 134 laps of the 368 race, including the final 44 laps en route to the milestone victory.
For Johnson, capturing the historic win for the man in charge meant a lot.
"You've got to love that man," Johnson said of Hendrick Motorsports Rick Hendrick during a celebration in Victory Lane.
The Victory Lane celebration was one to remember, but Hendrick was already focused on the next milestone.
"He said, 'Two hundred is great, but let's go get 250,’: Johnson said. “So that tells you where his head is. I love it. Oh, man, what a day!"
Six years later, the owner got his wish.
Just weeks ago, Chase Elliott won race No. 250 for the boss man, finding Victory Lane for the first time in his Cup Series career at Watkins Glen International.
“I was not sitting – I was pacing,” Hendrick said after the historic win. “It was the longest 20 laps that I have ever watched in a race. I wore out a pair of shoes walking around the living room. Just glued to the TV and on my phone texting. It was nerve-racking, but, man, what a great win.”
This weekend at Darlington, Johnson will climb behind the wheel of a throwback Lowe’s/Kobalt Tools scheme – the ride he drove to Victory Lane at the track in 2012, earning Hendrick Motorsports its 200th win.