CONCORD, N.C. - This week, Hendrick Motorsports drivers and teams are taking a trip up north for the first of two races at Michigan International Speedway this season.
The two-mile track is known for its beautiful scenery, high banking and fast laps.
But before the cars are unloaded and new memories are made, let’s take a look back at three very memorable Hendrick Motorsports moments at Michigan.
June 20, 1993 - Hendrick Motorsports started racing at Michigan International Speedway in 1984 and by 1993 had still not secured a win at the track. That all changed with Ricky Rudd. When the green flag dropped, Rudd was on the outside pole. After leading only the first nine laps and the last nine laps, he pulled his No. 5 Chevrolet into Victory Lane to celebrate a win. That was just the beginning of Hendrick Motorsports victories at Michigan.
June 10, 2001 – Jeff Gordon had not won at Michigan since 1998, but in 2001 he dominated the race. Gordon led the pack to green from the pole and continued to stay up front for 143 laps. The race was an exciting battle all the way to the last lap, when Gordon finally pulled away and brought the checkered flag home. He finished the 2001 season with six wins and his fourth championship.
June 15, 2008 – Dale Earnhardt Jr. was in the midst of his first season with Hendrick Motorsports when he arrived at Michigan. Earnhardt started third and led only 14 laps of the race. After a thrilling green-white-checkered finish, he earned his first victory at Michigan and his first points-race win with Hendrick Motorsports.
