CONCORD, N.C. – The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series returns from the off-weekend with a night race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
As the series makes its second and final trip to the Tennessee track in 2016, the four Hendrick Motorsports drivers will prepare to see sparks fly as they battle for a win.
However, before the lights come on and the engines roar to life, take a look back at three fun Hendrick Motorsports memories at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Aug. 25, 1984: In organization’s inaugural season, Geoffrey Bodine arrived at Bristol with three pole awards to his name. He got to work around the 0.533-mile oval, claiming Hendrick Motorsports’ very first pole position. With a speed of 111.734 mph, Bodine positioned himself on the front row for the start of the race. Due to issues with the rear end of his car, Bodine ultimately claimed a 22nd-place result.
March 29, 1998: Jeff Gordon already had three wins to his name at the Tennessee track but he arrived in 1998 with another on his mind. Gordon started on the outside of the front row for the 500-lap race and battled to stay up front the entirety of the event. He took the lead on Lap 438 and led the final 63 laps of the race to claim his third Bristol win in three consecutive years.
Aug. 24, 2002: After claiming the pole for the March Bristol race, Gordon returned to the track in August and achieved the same feat. With a speed of 124.034 mph, Gordon once again qualified on the pole for the start of the 266.5-mile race. The driver led more than half of the event to claim his fifth career Bristol victory.
