NASCAR Fans Have a Chance to Grab Historic Hendrick Motorsports Item; Details Follow

Rick Hendrick embarked on the quest of forming a racing team and contending in the 1984 Winston Cup season, with a white, #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo as his preliminary test car. Marking its 40th anniversary in 2024, a collectible die cast of the historic car could be in your possession. Hendrick Motorsports, in association with NASCAR’s official die cast affiliate, Lionel Racing, has released a replica of this car for purchase. The miniature model, designated in a 1:24 scale, is recreated from team archive photos and is featured in the NASCAR Classics series. The model is priced at $93.95.

After the initial testing, Geoff Bodine drove the #5 Monte Carlo, securing three Cup wins in his debut season with the team. Each Lionel Racing die cast incorporates an operable hood and trunk, authentic Goodyear tires and decals, door numbers, and other detailing to replicate the actual vehicle. The replicas also carry identification numbers for authenticity validation.

Rick Hendrick's entry into NASCAR circuits involved a collaborative endeavor with Robert Gee, Dale Sr.'s ex-father-in-law. Hendrick bought into Robert Gee's Superspeedway Late Model operation in 1983, commencing his racing journey. When he resolved to enter the Winston Cup Series, Dale Sr. was his primary driver choice. Although Dale Sr. declined Hendrick's offer to race for the team, he agreed to test drive the #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in 1983 at Charlotte Motorspeedway.

It's a lesser-known fact that Dale Earnhardt Jr. wasn't the first of his name to drive for Hendrick Motorsports. Even fewer know that Dale Sr. delivered Hendrick’s first victory in the 1983 Mello Yello 300 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman race at Charlotte.

The #5 Chevrolet Monte Carlo symbolizes the deep bond between Dale Sr. and Rick Hendrick, and their association with Hendrick Motorsports. Celebrating its 40th anniversary of NASCAR dominance, a perfect way to commemorate this long journey is owning a die cast of the legendary car driven by the Intimidator himself.