Three memorable moments
LAS VEGAS – The West Coast swing is here and the first stop is 'Sin City.'
Hendrick Motorsports started racing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 1998 and has brought home five wins at the 1.5-mile track. While the teams prepare to head to Las Vegas this weekend, let's take a look back at some of Hendrick Motorsports' memorable moments at the track.
March 4, 2001 - Jeff Gordon's win at Las Vegas in 2001 brought a lot of firsts. Not only did Gordon win his first race of the 2001 season at the Nevada oval, it was also Hendrick Motorsports' first win at the track, as well. After leading 33 laps and claiming the checkered flag, Gordon went on to finish the season with five more wins en route to his fourth Cup Championship.
March 12, 2006 – Jimmie Johnson headed out west looking to defend his win from the previous year at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. In an exciting green-white-checkered finish, Johnson pulled ahead of the pack, led his first and only lap of the race and claimed his spot in Victory Lane for the second year in a row. Johnson's luck continued that season as he raced his way to his first-ever championship.
Feb. 28, 2010 – Winning at Las Vegas was something Jimmie Johnson knew how to do. Johnson won three times before, capturing back-to-back-to-back wins from 2005- 2007 and had his sights sets on a fourth. After starting mid pack, Johnson raced his way to the front and became a contender by the race's halfway point. Johnson took over the top spot with 17 laps to go and hit the jackpot by taking the checkered flag for the fourth time at the Las Vegas track. Johnson ultimately finished the 2010 season with a total of six wins and took home his fifth consecutive championship trophy.
