CONCORD, N.C. – The last off-weekend of the NASCAR season has come and gone, and now it’s time to gear up for 12 straight weeks of racing.
The Hendrick Motorsports teams will be spending their Labor Day weekend at one of the most historic tracks on the schedule, Darlington Raceway.
Known as the track “Too Tough to Tame,” Darlington has provided Hendrick Motorsports with many memorable moments since 1984, including 14 wins and seven poles.
But before the lights turn on and the throwback paint schemes hit the track Saturday, let’s take a look back at three Darlington memories.
Aug. 31, 1986 – Tim Richmond proved that Darlington Raceway was no match for him. He started the weekend off by winning the pole award, but he didn’t stop there. When the green flag dropped, he led 168 of the 367-lap race and eventually pulled into Victory Lane, giving Hendrick Motorsports its first win at Darlington. Richmond finished the 1986 season with seven wins and eight poles.
Sept. 3, 1995 – There is a first time for everything. And Jeff Gordon’s first Darlington win came in 1995. He started the race fifth and found his way to the front for 54 laps until he crossed the finish line first. That win marked the first of three consecutive victories at Darlington Raceway for Gordon, who has earned a total of seven throughout his career.
May 12, 2012- Jimmie Johnson’s last two wins at Darlington were in 2004, and he knew it was time to change that. After qualifying second, he started the race with his No. 48 Chevrolet on the front row. With 22 lead changes throughout the race, Johnson led a total of 134 laps, including the all-important final one as he crossed the finish line first to capture the checkered flag. That victory marked Hendrick Motorsports' 200th win.
