CONCORD N.C. - Wait, Dale Earnhardt raced for Hendrick Motorsports?
Well, no. But he did drive for Rick Hendrick before the team officially launched.
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Back in 1983, Rick Hendrick began his move into stock car racing by co-owning a car with Robert Gee. The pair called on Earnhardt to drive their No. 15 entry at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Late Model Sportsman division (now known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series), hoping for a successful result.
In fact, they were correct.
Earnhardt would go on to win the race on debut for the team, giving Hendrick his first win as an owner in stock car racing. That same year, Earnhardt was back behind the wheel, this time driving the No. 5 entry for All-Star Racing. A year later, the team would hit the track for the first time in competition.
Years later, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would also drive for Hendrick Motorsports, driving the No. 88 entry. In Earnhardt Jr.'s first race with the team (the exhibition race before the 2008 DAYTONA 500), he went to victory lane. The win meant both drivers won on debut while driving for Rick Hendrick — 25 years apart.
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Another similarity was the name of the car itself. Earnhardt Sr.'s 1983 car was known by "Emma", named after Gee's mother. In 2008, the No. 88's chassis went by the same name as a tribute to the original vehicle. Both cars currently sit on display at the Hendrick Motorsports Team Store and Museum.
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Recap the race
After starting from the third position, Earnhardt and fellow NASCAR Legend, Neil Bonnett began a fight for the point position in the beginning stages of the event.
However, a flat tire threatened to derail the day before it even really got started for the team. Not even half way through the race, Earnhardt was already a lap down.
After a slew of yellow flags just past the halfway mark of the 200-lap race, Earnhardt was ready to earn his spot back on the lead lap. Just before he was able to make the pass under green, a multi-car accident took place in turns three and four.
However, racing back to the line was the rule for the day and Earnhardt took full advantage of the procedure. He would edge out race leader Bonnett at the line to earn his lap back.
On lap 136, the No. 15 entry worked back to the point position after passing the remaining cars on the lead lap. Earnhardt would not surrender the spot, leading the final 65 laps en route to victory.
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