RICHMOND, Va. - Chevrolet, the winningest nameplate in NASCAR, will continue its partnership with championship team Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR competition in 2008 and beyond.
"Rick Hendrick knows how to win championships, and we're proud that those wins have been in Chevrolets," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "With four strong Hendrick teams and drivers, three currently in the Top 10 in Driver standings, we are looking forward to even more exciting racing this year and continued success with the Hendrick organization in the Bowtie brand going forward."
In 23 years (1984-2006) of NASCAR competition, Hendrick Motorsports has garnered six NEXTEL Cup Series (formerly Winston Cup) championships, three Craftsman Truck Series titles and one Busch Series crown, making it one of stock-car racing's premier organizations.
Rick Hendrick is the only team owner in NASCAR's modern era to earn more than 150 Cup Series victories and is currently at 160 Cup wins - all of them coming in Chevrolets. Hendrick Motorsports' win at the first "Car of Tomorrow" race at Bristol earlier this year also earned Chevrolet its first Impala SS win and Chevy's 600th win in NASCAR Cup competition.
The four full-time NASCAR Cup teams of Hendrick Motorsports slated to run in 2008 include four-time champion Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet; 2006 NEXTEL Cup champion Jimmie Johnson in the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet; Casey Mears in the No. 5 Kellogg's/CARQUEST Chevrolet; and new addition Dale Earnhardt, Jr., who has only driven Chevrolets in his NASCAR career.
"I'm not sure I'd be in the car business or racing business if it weren't for Chevrolet," Hendrick said. "My first dealership was a Chevy store and the first car I ever owned or raced was a '31 (Chevrolet) that my dad and I built when I was 15. I've always been a Chevy fan, a Chevy dealer and a Chevy racer. "
So much of our success on the track is due to the commitment Chevrolet has made to its teams. The impact of the technology and engineering support they provide is immeasurable, and the dedication they've shown to our sport is second to none. We take great pride in being a part Chevrolet's winning tradition and look forward to continuing our longstanding relationship."
Chevrolet has 614 wins in NASCAR NEXTEL Cup competition, more than any other manufacturer. Team Chevy drivers have won 18 of 25 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races in 2007 giving Chevy the lead in the Manufacturer Cup standings. Currently Chevy drivers hold nine of the top 12 spots in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series standings.
From Jan Thomas / GM
