Hendrick Motorsports prepared, confident entering Chase

RICHMOND, Va. -- NASCAR's regular season is over.

And for the third year in a row, Hendrick Motorsports is sending all of its drivers to the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The 16-driver Chase, which begins next week at Chicago, will be 25 percent filled by Hendrick Motorsports drivers.

"I think it says a lot," Jeff Gordon said. "It says a lot about the structure and how we believe in one another, how we share information -- it's just a solid not only driver lineup but crew chiefs, engineers, pit crews, all the way to everybody that is playing a role."

Last week at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kasey Kahne became the fourth Hendrick Motorsports driver to clinch his spot in the Chase thanks to a win.

It was a big moment not only for Kahne, but for the organization as a whole.

"I think we also expect all four cars to make the Chase. So, when I look at the Hendrick campus and what it does for our organization, it’s massive for all the people working there," said Jimmie Johnson, who did not take the stage to celebrate the 16 Chase drivers due to post-race dehydration. "When we get in the Chase and get racing, it increases our odds. Now we have four cars that have a chance to win a championship. And if one of our four cars wins it, the up side of that for Hendrick Motorsports is massive."

In Victory Lane at Atlanta, Gordon, Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. all gathered to congratulate their teammate on making NASCAR's postseason.

It was a moment that made Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick "really proud of the organization."

"I think that shows the kind of chemistry we have with our drivers, and they know they've got to race each other, and they want to beat each other, but they were pulling for Kasey to get in," Hendrick said.

To Hendrick's point, Gordon noted that the way the four teams share information has helped all four drivers succeed from week to week throughout the season.

Now that the Chase has arrived, they'll continue to try to beat one another on the track -- but root for one another as teammates at the same time.

"Just as an organization we have a lot of confidence this year," Gordon said. "Everyone in Hendrick Motorsports is contributing to make these teams function the way that they do."

Kahne said the confidence stems from knowing that all four drivers will bring premier equipment to the track every week.

"Everyone knows we have great cars and great engines," he said. "Mr. Hendrick gives us everything we need."

Now, all four drivers are prepared to put that equipment to work in pursuit of Hendrick Motorsports' 12th championship.

"Our company has been doing so many great things," Earnhardt said. "It's been obviously a lot of fun to be able to drive such good race cars, work with such great people.

"Hopefully we can put our best foot forward in the Chase and be one of those teams in the battle going into Homestead. But as a company, I don't think we could be any more prepared than we are."