CONCORD, N.C. - It's time to head to Michigan. For the one and only time in 2024, Hendrick Motorsports and the NASCAR Cup Series will make the trip to Michigan International Speedway. The race will serve as the third-to-last event before the playoffs open at Atlanta Motor Speedway in September.
Michigan's layout provides a unique challenge to drivers aiming to take home a victory. At 2 miles in length, the track is known for high speed entering the corners. Before its removal from the schedule, Auto Club Speedway in California closely resembled to Michigan. Now, the facility's layout is more of an outlier on the schedule, but teams will still look to build momentum through a solid run before heading into the postseason.
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Dating back to 1993 with Ricky Rudd’s first victory for Hendrick Motorsports at the Irish Hills track, Rick Hendrick’s team has earned eight victories. Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson each won once at the facility while Dale Earnhardt Jr. found victory lane twice in his Hendrick Motorsports career at Michigan. Team vice chairman Jeff Gordon earned three victories at the track for the team, most of any driver in the organization’s history.
KEY NUMBERS TO KNOW FOR MICHIGAN
Data provided by Racing Insights
Larson, No. 5 team
Michigan has been good to Kyle Larson throughout his career. Before arriving at Hendrick Motorsports, he earned three consecutive victories at the track, winning 2016's second event and sweeping 2017's races. In his three starts since joining Rick Hendrick's group, Larson has finished third, seventh and fifth. He's also scored stage points in five of the six segments. Watch for the No. 5 HendrickCars.com entry to be in the mix on Sunday.
Elliott, No. 9 team
While Chase Elliott has yet to break through for a victory in Michigan, his three runner-up results are the second-most of any driver who has yet to win at the 2-mile circuit. Over his career, Elliott has an average finish of 10.15 in 13 starts, the highest mark of any full-time Cup Series driver with at least three starts. Sitting six points behind Larson for the regular season championship lead, Elliott will aim to score his second win of the season.
Byron, No. 24 team
Although not in contention to take home the regular season title, William Byron and the No. 24 team aim for a return to form starting at Michigan this weekend. Byron has earned a pair of top-10 results at the track highlighted by a runner-up finish in 2021. Currently sitting fourth in the playoff standings, the Charlotte, North Carolina, native will look to build on his 16 playoff points before the postseason begins in three races.
Bowman, No. 48 team
Between six top-five results and 12 top-10 finishes so far in 2024, Alex Bowman finds himself in a solid spot with the playoffs right around the corner. For the final three races, the No. 48 Ally Racing team will aim to build off their five playoff points to build a bigger cushion should carnage occur in the postseason. As for Michigan, Bowman has earned three top-10 results in his career and led 19 circuits in 2023's main event.
Hendrick Motorsports
Rick Hendrick's group is the only team to have each of their drivers in the top 10 in the regular season standings. In addition, the group has not gone more than three races without finding victory lane in the past 35 events. The team will go for its first victory at Michigan in 10 years this weekend.
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DID YOU KNOW?
A Hendrick Motorsports driver has led the regular season standings following 17 of the 23 events this season.
NASCAR TV SCHEDULE THIS WEEKEND
Saturday, August 17
12:35 p.m. Practice - USA Network
1:20 p.m. Qualifying - USA Network
Larson, Elliott and Bowman will be in Group A while Byron will be in Group B
Sunday, August 18
2:30 p.m. ET: Cup Series race - USA Network
STAGE LENGTHS
Cup Series race
Stage 1: Lap 45
Stage 2: Lap 120
End of Race: Lap 200
WILL THE RACE BE ON THE RADIO?
Yes, listeners can find both events on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90).
CAN I STREAM ONLINE?
Yes. Download the NBC Sports App for online coverage. Fans can also keep up with the action on X by following @TeamHendrick.