CONCORD, N.C. - For the second time this season, drivers will be racing under the lights at NASCAR’s home track.
This weekend, the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup begins at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Over the years there have been many memorable moments for Hendrick Motorsports at Charlotte, including 18 wins and 17 poles at the 1.5-mile track.
Before the window nets go up and the lights turn on, let’s take a look back at a few memories from Charlotte. Which ones do you remember?
May 29, 1988 - Hendrick Motorsports was looking to earn its first Charlotte win and Darrell Waltrip made it happen. When the green flag dropped, his car rolled off of the grid fifth for a 400-lap battle that had 43 lead changes. Waltrip went on to stay out front for 73 of those laps to earn the victory.
May 24, 1998 – Jeff Gordon was the reigning race-winner at Charlotte and he was ready to make it back-to-back wins. He started the weekend off by earning the pole award for the sixth year in a row at the 1.5-mile track. When the race began, Gordon led 73 laps en route to Victory Lane. The 1998 season was a good one for the driver of the No. 24; he finished the year with 13 wins, seven poles and his third championship.
May 25, 2014 – Jimmie Johnson started in the front and ended in the front. After posting a qualifying speed of over 194 miles per hour, Johnson won the pole and rolled off the grid first. When the checkered flag waved, the driver of the No. 48 had led 164 laps of the race and crossed the finish line first. Throughout his career, Johnson has earned seven wins and four poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
