In 1998, Hendrick's Charlotte-based Hendrick Motorsports is one of the largest, most sophisticated and successful racing operations in the world. The Hendrick Motorsports operations included the Budweiser/Quaker State Team with Wally Dallenbach as driver, the DuPont/Quaker State Team with Jeff Gordon as driver, and the Kellogg's/Quaker State Team with Terry Labonte as driver. All three teams are supported by a research and development team headed by Ken Howes.

Since its beginning, Hendrick Motorsports teams have won 73 NASCAR Winston Cup events, including three Daytona 500 races. HMS tabulated 12 victories in 1996 and 10 wins in 1995. In addition, HMS teams have captured 76 Busch pole positions in Winston Cup competition.

1998 HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Terry Labonte earned the outside pole position for the Daytona 500.
  • Driver Jeff Gordon won the Goodwrench 4090 at Rockingham. In the same race, Terry Labonte finished 8th.
  • Gordon finished second and Labonte finished sixth in the TranSouth 400 at Darlington.
  • Gordon won the Food City 500 at Bristol and Labonte finished second.
  • Labonte finished sixth in the Texas 500.
  • Randy Lajoie finished fifth in the Goody's 500 at Martinsville. Gordon placed eighth.
  • Labonte finished fourth, Gordon fifth, and Lajoie 10th in the Diehard 500 at Talladega.
  • Gordon won the pole and finished fourth and Labonte finished third in the California 500.