NASCAR Hendrick Motorsports

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Johnson Encouraged by Progress of Earnhardt’s Recovery

NASCAR NASCAR Wire Service Sprint Cup Series Track News
Photo - Getty Images
Photo – Getty Images

Most race car drivers would rather wreck than watch someone else drive their cars.

From that perspective, Jimmie Johnson can understand why Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. hasn’t been frequenting NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race tracks as he spends the rest of the season recovering from a concussion.

Yes, Earnhardt made a brief appearance at Watkins Glen in August, and he participated in a longer press conference at Darlington a month later. But Sunday will be the first time Earnhardt will stay for a Sprint Cup race. Continue reading →

Sunday Chicagoland Notebook

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Pit road penalty thwarts strong run by Jimmie Johnson

Jimmie Johnson had mixed feelings about his 12th-place run in Sunday’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400 at Chicagoland Speedway.

On the positive side, Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet showed excellent speed in the opening race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

The six-time Sprint Cup champion led a race-high 118 laps, but he drew a pit road speeding penalty during a green-flag stop on lap 234 of 270, and that infraction cost Johnson a shot at victory. After serving a pass-through penalty, he fell to 18th in the running order but rallied to finish 12th. Continue reading →

Jimmie Johnson Encouraged Despite Pit Road Snafu

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Photo - Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images

Despite a pit road problem that ruined his winning chances, Jimmie Johnson was surprisingly chipper after his sixth-place run in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan Speedway.

Johnson led 37 laps, four fewer than race winner Kyle Larson, but the six-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion lost ten seconds on pit road when his second can of fuel failed to engage properly with the intake during a green-flag stop from the lead on lap 108 of 200. Continue reading →

Rick Hendrick is Pleased with Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Progress

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Photo - Bob Leverone/Getty Images
Photo – Bob Leverone/Getty Images

Team owner Rick Hendrick made two things abundantly clear during a press conference at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday afternoon to discuss the signing of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series leader William Byron.

First, Hendrick had no specific update as to the status of Dale Earnhardt Jr., other than to say that Earnhardt is progressing in his recovery from concussion-like symptoms and wants to return to the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet as soon as possible. Continue reading →