CONCORD, N.C. – For the second time this season, NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers will be racing in the midst of the rolling Irish Hills of Michigan.
Over the years, Michigan International Speedway has given Hendrick Motorsports eight wins, and this weekend the organization will be looking to add another victory to that list.
But before the cars battle it out for 200 laps on the two-mile oval, let’s take a look back at three very memorable Hendrick Motorsports moments from Michigan.
June 14, 2009 – Mark Martin qualified for the race 32nd. And although that is not the ideal starting position when looking to come out with a win, Martin accepted the challenge. He used the whole 200-lap race to work his way through the field and eventually led one lap of the race – the last one. Martin’s win at Michigan was one of five races where he took home the checkered flag that season.
June 17, 2012 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. was looking for his second win at Michigan, and this time he was going to do it with a special Dark Knight Rises paint scheme on his No. 88 Chevrolet. He started the race 17th, but did not stay there long. After staying out front for 95 laps, Earnhardt captured the win and celebrated in Victory Lane.
Aug. 17, 2014 – Just one year ago, Jeff Gordon dominated the two-mile oval at Michigan. At the beginning of the weekend he won the pole award to start the race from the front. After Gordon led the field to the green, he led 68 laps of the race and went on to earn his third Michigan victory. Gordon finished the 2014 season with four wins and three poles.
