The current No. 5 car debuted as the No. 14 in 2000, with Rick Hendrick's son Ricky finishing 39th in the season finale at Homestead. The number was switched to No. 5 when the car began competing full-time in 2002. After Ricky was injured in a wreck at Las Vegas, Ron Hornaday Jr. took over for the next six races before Hendrick returned at Richmond. Toward the end of the season, Hendrick suddenly announced his retirement from driving due to lingering effects from the crash, but he remained as car owner until his death in 2004. David Green finished out the season for the team.