Three memorable moments at Homestead
CONCORD, N.C. – It’s that time of the year again.
This week, the decals were carefully placed on cars that were loaded into haulers for the final time, as pit crews completed their last official practices of the year. And on Sunday afternoon, 43 drivers will race to the finish line at Homestead-Miami Speedway in the final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event of the 2014 season.
Before heading down to the South Florida coast, let’s take a look back on three memorable moments for Hendrick Motorsports at Homestead.
Nov. 22, 2009: Jimmie Johnson was in a comfortable place heading into 2009’s final race at Homestead. The driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet was first in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings, needing a 25th-place finish or better to win the championship. But 25th-place wasn't good enough for Johnson. He kicked off the race on a high note by winning the pole position and his momentum only continued into the race, as he paced the field for 28 laps before finishing fifth at the Florida track. The fifth-place finish gave Johnson the points he needed to secure his fourth straight Sprint Cup Championship.
Nov. 18, 2012: Heading into the final race of the 2012 season, Jeff Gordon was ranked 11th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings. In order to end the year in the top 10, he needed a great finish at Homestead-Miami Speedway – and that’s what he got. After starting 15th, Gordon worked his way to the front, leading 14 laps before taking the checkered flag at the 1.5-mile speedway. The win marked both his and Hendrick Motorsports’ first Cup victory at Homestead.
Nov. 17, 2013: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s 2013 season had taken a turn for the better during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The driver of the No. 88 National Guard Chevrolet SS had recorded eight top-eight finishes in eight of the 10 Chase races, including three runner-up results. But after qualifying 21st at Homestead, he was going to have to fight a tough battle to finish the year strong. Undaunted, Earnhardt powered his No. 88 Chevy SS through the field, leading 28 laps before finishing third at the 1.5-mile track. The top-three finish allowed him to close the year with a fifth-place ranking in the points system. Earnhardt’s Hendrick Motorsports teammates also finished the year on high notes, all recording finishes in the top-13. Jimmie Johnson’s ninth-place finish gave him the points he needed to be crowned the 2013 Sprint Cup Champion.
