5 KYLE LARSON
Age: 32 (July 31, 1992)
Hometown: Elk Grove, California
Resides: Mooresville, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Cliff Daniels
Standings: 1st
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No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
MICHIGAN MAN: Kyle Larson earned his first NASCAR Cup Sequence victory at Michigan Worldwide Speedway in 2016, a win that was a part of a streak of three consecutive triumphs within the Irish Hills (the final three wins for Chevrolet at this observe). In his 15 begins at Michigan, Larson has three victories, seven top-five finishes, 9 high 10s, has led 222 laps and accomplished 2,770 of two,876 laps run.
WIN-DIANAPOLIS: In July, Larson earned Hendrick Motorsports’ record-extending eleventh Brickyard 400 victory, his first on the famed oval and his series-high fourth win of 2024. With 27 profession victories, Larson now ranks thirty second on the Cup Sequence wins listing. The crown-jewel win at Indianapolis marked his eleventh victory within the Subsequent-Gen automotive, tying him with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron for probably the most.
FOLLOW THE LEADER: With three races remaining within the common season, Larson leads the Cup standings by 5 factors. The Elk Grove, California, native, tops the sequence with 4 wins, 5 poles and 28 playoff factors. He’s tied for second with 9 top-five finishes and is in second alone with 780 laps led. That complete is the second highest by way of 23 races in Larson’s profession, behind solely his 2021 championship season through which he paced the sphere for 1,468 laps within the first 23 occasions.
UP FRONT IN THE GREAT LAKE STATE: The motive force of the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet has a streak of 4 consecutive top-10 finishes at Michigan. In that span, he has a mean end of 4.5 whereas pacing the sphere for 72 laps.
WELL DEFENDED: Final weekend on the Knoxville Nationals, Larson led all 50 laps to seize his third victory within the famed dash automotive occasion. It marked the second consecutive 12 months he led wire-to-wire at Knoxville Raceway.
AWAY BUT ALWAYS AVAILABLE: In 2024, the No. 5 HendrickCars.com staff acknowledges “dwelling” occasions by sporting white firesuits and “away” with blue. Its dwelling races come at tracks with close by Hendrick Automotive Group automotive dealerships. This weekend, the No. 5 staff races “away” within the Irish Hills market. Nevertheless, it’s simple to select up a brand new set of keys from any one among Hendrick Automotive Group’s 94 dealerships nationwide. Clients also can store from the comfort of dwelling by choosing the class, make, mannequin and automobile packages vital to them from the almost 30,000 new, high-quality pre-owned and licensed automobiles, vans and SUVs accessible at HendrickCars.com.
HENDRICK AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IS HIRING: Be part of the greater than 10,000 folks nationwide who work at Hendrick Automotive Group. The corporate is hiring technicians and different positions at its dealerships all through the nation. Positions are open for all ability ranges and supply tuition and coaching reimbursement. People who’re can apply at HendrickCars.com.
9 CHASE ELLIOTT
Age: 28 (Nov. 28, 1995)
Hometown: Dawsonville, Georgia
Resides: Dawsonville, Georgia
Crew Chief: Alan Gustafson
Standings: third
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No. 9 NAPA Auto Elements Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
SEASON UPDATE: With three races remaining within the NASCAR Cup Sequence common season, Chase Elliott heads to Michigan Worldwide Speedway third in factors, solely six markers behind the chief, Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson. The 28-year-old has one win (Texas Motor Speedway), seven top-five finishes and 12 high 10s. Elliott’s 10.43 common end leads the sphere and is the second-best mark by way of 23 races in his profession behind solely the 2022 season through which he gained the common season championship. He additionally has the third-best common operating place (10.98) and the fourth-most laps spent inside the highest 10 (3,410).
HISTORY MADE: Along with his ninth-place end final weekend at Richmond Raceway, Elliott is the primary driver in Cup Sequence historical past to finish all however one lap by way of 23 races in a season. The earlier document was all however two laps, a mark set by Kevin Harvick (2020), Greg Biffle (2012) and Matt Kenseth (2003). The one race this season through which Elliott didn’t end on the lead lap was at Bristol Motor Speedway within the spring, although he nonetheless completed eighth.
IRISH HILLS READY: Elliott holds the perfect common end (10.15) amongst energetic drivers with greater than three begins at Michigan and the third-best all-time behind Carl Edwards (9.4) and Cale Yarborough (9.61). He has positioned inside the highest 10 in 10 of his 13 profession Cup Sequence begins on the 2-mile oval – tied for his third-most high 10s on energetic tracks behind Kansas Speedway and Martinsville Speedway (11 every). The Dawsonville, Georgia, native has additionally led 144 laps and picked up three top-five finishes on the Irish Hills observe – all of which had been runner-up outcomes.
STOUT GROUP: Elliott is in good firm as one among 5 drivers with three or extra runner-up finishes at Michigan earlier than incomes a win. Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman and NASCAR Corridor of Famer Jeff Gordon earned three second-place outcomes earlier than visiting victory lane on the 2-mile oval in 1998. Elliott joins Brad Keselowski and NASCAR Corridor of Famer Terry Labonte with three runner-up outcomes with out a win at Michigan. Martin Truex Jr. has 4.
700 STARTS FOR AG: On Sunday, Alan Gustafson is about to make his 700th begin in his twentieth season as a Cup Sequence crew chief. The 49-year-old is the longest tenured crew chief within the historical past of Hendrick Motorsports. He has earned 39 premier sequence victories – tied for the second-most amongst energetic crew chiefs – 201 top-five finishes and 349 high 10s with over 11,000 laps led. Along with Elliott, Gustafson has labored full seasons with NASCAR Corridor of Famers Gordon and Mark Martin in addition to Kyle Busch and Casey Mears. The Ormond Seashore, Florida, native captured the 2020 Cup Sequence championship with Elliott.
GREAT GUSTAFSON: Gustafson will name his thirty sixth Cup Sequence race at Michigan on Sunday. In 35 prior begins with 5 drivers, Gustafson has collected two wins (Martin in 2009 and Gordon in 2014), 5 top-five finishes and 17 high 10s, with 370 laps led. Gordon began from the pole in 2014 and his qualifying lap stands because the quickest qualifying velocity that didn’t happen at a superspeedway.
FASTEST FIVE: With 23 races full, the No. 9 pit crew holds the quickest common four-tire pit cease time (10.687 seconds). The over-the-wall squad laid down the quickest four-tire pit cease (9.076 seconds) of the season at Texas in April, in accordance with knowledge from Racing Insights. The 2021 Mechanix Put on Most Precious Pit Crew award-winning group is comprised of Chad Avrit (rear-tire changer), Jared Erspamer (tire service), John Gianninoto (fueler), Nick O’Dell (front-tire changer) and T.J. Semke (jackman).
GET UP AND GO: NAPA Auto Elements is again on the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 this weekend. The Atlanta-based firm has been the first associate for Elliott for all however three of his Cup begins on the 2-mile oval, together with all three of his runner-up finishes. Get a take a look at all of the angles of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Elements Chevrolet right here.
24 WILLIAM BYRON
Age: 26 (Nov. 29, 1997)
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Resides: Charlotte, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Rudy Fugle
Standings: seventh
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No. 24 RAPTOR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
24 IN ‘24: William Byron’s 2024 NASCAR Cup Sequence season began off with three wins within the first eight races together with the DAYTONA 500. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native has seven top-five finishes (tied for fourth) and 12 high 10s (tied for third). Byron ranks tenth in laps spent within the high 5 with 1,406 and eighth with 2,894 laps within the high 10. With three races remaining within the common season, Byron is seventh within the Cup Sequence factors with 16 playoff factors.
MICHIGAN MINUTES: Byron will make his twelfth NASCAR nationwide sequence begin at Michigan Worldwide Speedway on Sunday. Of these 11 races, 9 got here in a Cup automotive with a finest beginning place of third in 2019 and a finest end of second in 2021. The 26-year-old has one Xfinity Sequence begin on the 2-mile D-shaped oval, qualifying fourth and coming dwelling second in 2017. He additionally made a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence look in 2016, beginning third and ending fourth with crew chief Rudy Fugle on the field.
OH SO CLOSE: Sunday will mark Fugle’s fourth Cup Sequence occasion at Michigan. The Livonia, New York, native has a track-best end of second coming with Byron in 2021. Fugle has seven Truck Sequence begins at Michigan with has six top-five showings together with three runner ups. His solely end outdoors the highest 4 got here in a Fifteenth-place end in 2019. Fugle’s drivers have a mean beginning place of 5.4 and a mean end of 4.6 at Michigan within the Truck Sequence.
PIT ROAD PROWESS: After 23 races, the No. 24 crew ranks fourth for the quickest common four-tire pit cease (10.892 seconds). The squad, consisting of Spencer Bishop (jackman), Jeff Cordero (front-tire changer), Orane Ossowski (rear-tire changer), Ryan Patton (tire service) and Landon Walker (fueler) had the quickest four-tire cease throughout final week’s race at Richmond at 9.442 seconds.
RAPTOR® TOUGH: Byron will sport his Raptor paint scheme that may run nearly all of the season on the No. 24 Chevy. RAPTOR® is a sturdy protecting coating that’s designed to tolerate the hardest weather conditions and will be utilized to a variety of things, together with truck beds, lawnmowers, out of doors furnishings and extra. With 16 pre-mixed colours accessible, it’s simple to personalize something you need to defend. RAPTOR® is out there at native paint distributors, auto elements shops and on-line retailers.
48 ALEX BOWMAN
Age: 31 (April 25, 1993)
Hometown: Tucson, Arizona
Resides: Harmony, North Carolina
Crew Chief: Blake Harris
Standings: tenth
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No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
THREE TO GO: With three races remaining in NASCAR’s common season, Alex Bowman’s eighth profession NASCAR Cup Sequence win on the Chicago Road Course locked the No. 48 Ally Racing driver into the postseason. Following the completion of 23 points-paying races this season, Bowman has six top-five finishes and 17 lead-lap finishes. His 12 high 10s are tied for third most and are already greater than he recorded in 2023. Following competitors at Richmond Raceway, Bowman continues to defend the tenth spot within the level standings, 164 markers behind chief and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson.
MICHIGAN INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY: This Sunday, the Tucson, Arizona, native will make his Fifteenth begin at Michigan Worldwide Speedway. In 14 earlier begins, Bowman has three high 10s, and 19 laps led. He has additionally accomplished 93.5% of the laps run in these occasions. Bowman’s finest Michigan end got here in a ninth-place exhibiting in 2022.
BIKING AT WATKINS GLEN: On Aug. 14, Bowman made a particular journey to Watkins Glen Worldwide Speedway for “Bike on the Glen.” He joined followers and took a lap across the 2.45-mile historic New York street course on a bicycle. He additionally spoke to followers and visitors about his racing profession, making wholesome selections, and his ardour for serving to rescue animals. Learn extra concerning the occasion right here.
BOOKS WITH DETROIT GIRL SCOUTS: On Friday, Aug. 16, Bowman will go to the Lady Scouts of Southeastern Michigan headquarters. The No. 48 staff’s main sponsor Ally, a digital financial institution, is an advocate for monetary literacy, particularly in the case of youth. Ally volunteers learn to 1000’s of children every year. Bowman will learn with youngsters for a 3rd time this 12 months, selecting up “Emma and the Cosmophone” to share with a bunch of Daisy and Brownie scouts. Bowman will then lead a spherical of “Jeopardy!” to encourage energetic studying and increase the scouts’ monetary fundamentals. Earlier readings this 12 months included a go to to Clara Love Elementary Faculty close to Texas Motor Speedway and College Meadows Elementary Faculty in Charlotte, North Carolina.
ALEX IN THE FAN ZONE: On Sunday, followers can go to Bowman within the fan zone on the Ally Activation footprint. At 11:05 a.m., the motive force of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro will take part in a Q&A. Whereas in Ally’s area, followers can play video games to win “Bowman Bucks” for prizes and enter to win the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes sponsored by Ally and HendrickCars.com.
ANYONE CAN WIN WITH ALLY: To have fun Hendrick Motorsports’ fortieth anniversary, Ally and HendrickCars.com are giving freely a particular version Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE to at least one fortunate fan by way of the “Win Your Wheels” sweepstakes. Solely 40 of those Chevrolets will probably be manufactured and the opposite 39 will probably be offered solely by way of choose Hendrick Automotive Group Chevrolet dealerships. Enter to win at Ally.com/sweepstakes/nascar. The promotion ends Sept. 20, 2024.
MAKE A FURRY FRIEND IN MICHIGAN: Over 4 years, Bowman and Ally have donated over $650,000 to Finest Pals shelters and their huge community of companions. Each race weekend, the pair donates $4,800 to assist homeless pets at a shelter native to the observe. This weekend, the charitable donation will go to Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, a shelter in north Michigan serving pets and the individuals who love them since 1951.
ALLY RACING PIT CREW: The Ally Racing pit crew joins Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 9 staff and No. 24 staff pit crews within the high 10 for the perfect common four-tire cease this 12 months (11.031). The 14-time championship successful group’s No. 48 crew consists of jackman Allen Holman, tire service Brandon Grier, front-tire changer Donnie Tasser, rear-tire changer Andrew Bridgeforth, and gasman Jacob Conley.
FIRST LAP: This Sunday, Ally Monetary, the Official Shopper Financial institution of NASCAR, will invite a bunch of first-time racegoers to Michigan. Together with Ally Racing’s First Lap program – a singular expertise the place Ally companions with local people teams to ask new, various followers into racing – Ally welcomes their Various Skills Worker Useful resource Group (ERG) to the observe. This group consists of over 1,600 members nationally who’re dedicated to elevating consciousness and acceptance for individuals with disabilities or different bodily/psychological variations inside the office. Within the U.S., round 1 in 4 adults have some kind of incapacity – together with 12% who’ve issue with strolling or climbing stairs, 6% who’ve issue with listening to and almost 13% with cognition difficulties. There are additionally greater than 40 million American adults who’ve an anxiousness dysfunction, and almost 53 million folks serving as a caregiver.
HENDRICK
MOTORSPORTS /
Hendrick Motorsports
2024
All-Time
Michigan
Races
23
1,368
77
Wins
9*
310*
8
Poles
6*
252*
11*
Prime 5
29*
1,261*
55
Prime 10
48*
2,160*
111*
Laps Led
1,214
80,971*
2,697*
Stage Wins
10
108
1
*Most **Most (tie)
MICH-AGAIN: On Sunday, Hendrick Motorsports will search its ninth Michigan Worldwide Speedway win and the staff’s first on the observe since 2014. 5 drivers have gained NASCAR Cup Sequence races for automotive proprietor Rick Hendrick on the 2-mile venue: Jeff Gordon (three wins), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (two), Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Ricky Rudd. Gordon recorded Hendrick Motorsports’ most up-to-date win there on Aug. 17, 2014, almost 10 years in the past to the day.
THE HALL CALLED: The NASCAR Corridor of Fame has launched “Hendrick Motorsports: 40 Years,” an exhibit offered by NAPA Auto Elements that showcases the historical past of the 14-time NASCAR Cup Sequence champions. The exhibit brings the group’s storied historical past to life by offering an in-depth take a look at the race staff and the individuals who constructed it. Milestones from its earliest days to the present 2024 season are showcased by way of the artifacts and images, lots of which have by no means been seen by the general public. Six automobiles, six 80-inch video displays, descriptive graphic panels, greater than 75 particular person artifacts, and 160 images comprise the exhibit, which will probably be on show by way of Might 2025. Click on right here to be taught extra.
LEADER OF THE PACK: A Hendrick Motorsports driver has led the Cup Sequence common season standings following 17 of twenty-two races to date in 2024. The group has additionally seen its drivers ranked 1-2 eight occasions this 12 months. Hendrick Motorsports is the one staff with 4 drivers inside the highest 10 in common season factors.
THE LAST 35: Over the past 35 Cup Sequence occasions, Hendrick Motorsports has not gone greater than three races with out a win. In that span, the staff has logged 13 victories (most by 5), 42 top-five finishes (most by three) and 73 high 10s (most by 10). No less than one Hendrick Motorsports driver has completed inside the highest 10 in 34 of the 35 races.
QUOTABLE /
Kyle Larson, driver of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “I’ve all the time loved racing at Michigan and I’ve had numerous success there, together with my first Cup win. We’ve got three races left within the common season and we’re working exhausting to win the common season championship and get these 15 further factors that go together with it. I might like to get one other victory at Michigan — for the HendrickCars.com staff and for Chevrolet of their yard.”
Cliff Daniels, crew chief of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on outlook at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “We’re trying ahead to going again to Michigan – an intermediate observe with numerous velocity. It’s an amazing observe to showcase all the great issues of Hendrick Motorsports. We’ve acquired nice Hendrick horsepower and our automobiles are aggressive. Kyle is all the time nice right here and, once more, we’re simply trying ahead to getting again to an enormous, quick place. Technique, the way you name the race and the final green-flag pit cycle are all the time essential.”
Chase Elliott, driver of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on what it might imply to win at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “I’ve by no means accomplished it, however I’ve to think about it’d be fairly cool, with it being a house race for Staff Chevy and with Michigan being what it’s. I feel that might be an enormous deal and I’d like to verify that field for them. And I do know each driver does for each producer, whoever you’re driving for. It could be a very cool factor, and I’d love so as to add that to the listing of accomplishments.”
Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the keys to performing properly at Michigan: “The most important factor about Michigan is it’s a must to have stability. You could have to have the ability to actually carry numerous tempo with this automotive into the nook and actually have consolation to do this. And if you are able to do that, you may sort of load the automotive and the exit is vital. The previous automotive was just a little bit reverse. You needed to get this actual huge arc and this big drive off and this huge run down the again straightaway. It appears this automotive has transitioned to the place we supply numerous throttle down into the nook. That was all the time the irony about Michigan. If you need to use numerous throttle you burn numerous fuel and that’s why I feel that races historically come out to a gasoline mileage race or will be, as a result of the fellows who’re actually good are simply within the fuel so much so burn numerous gasoline, use numerous throttle. That all the time comes into play.”
William Byron, driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on the significance of successful at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “That is all the time an enormous race for us being in Chevrolet’s yard. Everybody needs to have the ability to carry the win dwelling for them at Michigan. It’s about bragging rights for the producers and we need to be those that assist them try this. We’ve had first rate success there earlier than however I feel we now have a great setup to carry there this time round. I’m excited to get there and see what we will do, particularly to construct momentum earlier than we get began within the playoffs.”
Rudy Fugle, crew chief of the No. 24 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on why he enjoys racing at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “Michigan is one among my favourite race tracks. It’s a observe the place generally the quickest automotive doesn’t all the time win and you’ll have some totally different technique performs that may occur. Total although it’s a very extensive race observe with a number of grooves. You normally need to be good on the underside after which transfer to the middle-to-high lane which turns into the quickest as your tires put on out. It means you really want to carry your A-game, and what higher place to do it the Detroit space the place the producers are situated.”
Alex Bowman, driver of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on racing at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “It is going to be good to get again to Michigan Worldwide Speedway. We had been super-fast there final 12 months earlier than the No. 48 crashed, so trying ahead to getting again there and hopefully we’re even stronger there than we had been final 12 months.”
Blake Harris, crew chief of the No. 48 Ally Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, on competitors at Michigan Worldwide Speedway: “We return to the observe this weekend seeking to construct some momentum. We had a tough weekend in Richmond, so we glance to come back again higher in Michigan. We ran a fairly good tempo final 12 months. Sadly, we had been having to name the race to both win or not. We at the moment sit in a fairly tight factors battle remaining within the high 10 for (the) common season. We need to gather as many playoff factors as doable and hopefully go for an additional shot to win on Sunday.”
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