CONCORD, N.C. - The final run towards the playoffs is here. This weekend, Hendrick Motorsports will take to Michigan International Speedway for the third-to-last race in the regular season.
Michigan's layout provides a unique challenge to drivers aiming to take home a victory. At 2 miles in length, the track is known for producing high speeds down the straightaways. Before its removal from the schedule, Auto Club Speedway in California was the other 2-mile, non-drafting track on the calendar. Now, the facility's layout provides a unique challenge as drivers will not face a track like it at any point this season.
Dating back to 1993 with Ricky Rudd’s first victory for Hendrick Motorsports at the track, Rick Hendrick’s team has earned eight total Michigan victories. Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson each won once at the facility while Dale Earnhardt Jr. found victory lane twice in his Hendrick Motorsports career at Michigan. Team vice chairman Jeff Gordon earned three victories there for the team, the most of any driver in the organization’s history.
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Kyle Larson returns to Michigan this weekend in the HendrickCars.com colors looking for a fourth career victory at the track. Sitting as the regular season points leader, the Elk Grove, California, native will aim to extend his lead and take home the regular season championship.
PHOTOS: Larson's iconic No. 5 paint scheme
It will be a return to the primary blue for Chase Elliott and the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts team at Michigan. Just six markers behind Larson in the regular season points battle, the team will have Michigan circled as another chance to find victory lane. Elliott has earned three career runner-up finishes at the track.
ALL THE ANGLES: Back in NAPA Blue
William Byron will take on the Irish Hills in the RAPTOR colors. The team will aim to improve on their 16 playoff points with another victory this weekend. Byron himself will look to improve by one spot on his career-best Michigan finish — a runner-up result in 2021.
RELATED: Byron's No. 24 RAPTOR entry
The No. 48 Ally Racing team will continue to utilize their primary paint scheme at Michigan this weekend. With five playoff points earned via a victory at the Chicago Street Race, the team will look toward Sunday's main event to improve that total before the postseason begins.
SEE THE SCHEME: Bowman's No. 48 Ally Racing Chevy
Kyle Larson, No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Chase Elliott, No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
William Byron, No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
Alex Bowman, No. 48 Ally Racing Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
