CONCORD, N.C. – The drivers, teams and fans have gotten a taste of short-track racing over the last couple months but this weekend, the restrictor plates are back.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Talladega Superspeedway this weekend, where Hendrick Motorsports has logged 12 wins since the organization was formed. Also included on its resume at the Alabama track are 53 top-five finishes, 77 top-10s, 10 pole positions and 2,635 laps led.
As the four teams prepare to pack up and head south, take a look back at three Talladega moments from Hendrick Motorsports’ history.
April 16, 2000: With one win at the Alabama superspeedway already under his belt, Jeff Gordon returned to Talladega in 2000 with a second win on his mind. After qualifying 36th in his No. 24 Chevrolet, Gordon got to work climbing his way through the field, taking the lead for the first time just after the 100-lap mark. Although he led for a total of only 25 laps, he made sure they included the final laps of the 188-lap event. Gordon drove home with the checkered flag for his second victory at Talladega Superspeedway.
Oct. 8, 2006: During his three-year period with Hendrick Motorsports, Brian Vickers contributed one win to the organization’s total. That win came at Talladega Superspeedway after rolling off the grid in ninth. In a race that saw 63 lead changes, Vickers took control of the No. 1 position several times throughout the middle section of the race, however, it would all come down to the last lap. After leading Lap 147, the driver lost the front-running position but battled his way back to claim the lead for the final and most important lap of the race to claim the win.
Oct. 23, 2011: With a margin of victory of just .002 seconds over teammate Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin won the pole at Talladega Superspeedway in October 2011. With a time of 52.799 seconds and a speed of 181.367 mph, the driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet landed himself on the front row for the start of the 188-lap race. Martin led a total of two laps and ultimately finished 20th.
