CONCORD, N.C. -- It's #NASCARThrowback weekend at Darlington Raceway and the four Hendrick Motorsports teams are headed to the South Carolina track with four retro paint schemes to debut.
The organization has a history of success at the iconic track, including 14 wins, 44 top-five finishes, 72 top-10s, seven poles and 3,175 laps led.
Before we go back in time this weekend, take a look back at these three Hendrick Motorsports memories at Darlington Raceway.
April 7, 1991: While Tim Richmond claimed the organization's first Darlington win in 1986, its second victory came five years later in 1991. After qualifying 13th, Ricky Rudd worked to stay up front, taking the lead several times throughout the race. However, his final time at the front of the field began on Lap 331 as he led the last 37 laps of the race. Leading a total of 69 laps, Rudd took the checkered flag at Darlington for what would become the solitary time in his career.
Aug. 31, 2003: With his most recent win at Darlington coming in 1980, Terry Labonte had high hopes of a second victory when he arrived at the track with Hendrick Motorsports in 2003. A quick qualifying time landed the driver on the inside of the second row at the start of the race however, Labonte took the lead only once throughout the 367-lap race. Driving to the front on Lap 335, Labonte led the remaining 33 laps of the event to claim the win.
March 21, 2004: Jimmie Johnson's first career victory at Darlington Raceway came in his third season competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The driver of the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet took the green flag in the 11th position and battled his way to the front for the majority of the first half of the race. He took the lead for the first time on Lap 166 but it would be the final 15 laps of the 293-lap race he led that would be the most important. Leading a total of 69 laps, Johnson took the checkered flag for the first time in his career at the South Carolina track.
