The Final Lap – NASCAR News, Radio, Podcast

By: Toby Christie – Follow on Twitter @Tobalical

Martin Truex Jr. nearly made it back to victory lane this past Sunday for the first time since the 2007 season (175 races ago). However after leading a race-high 173 laps, he was forced to settle for a second-place finish when Denny Hamlin edged ahead of his No. 56 NAPA Toyota with just 30 laps to go in the STP 400 in Kansas.

“I’d like to try it again,” Truex would exclaim when he exited his car Sunday,  ”I mean, I drove as hard as I could.”

Truex has been on a roll as of late, and he is actually now up to second in the point standings after eight races in 2012, which is the highest he has ever ranked in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series point standings in his seven-full seasons in NASCAR’s premier division. He will get his chance to try again at snapping his long-long-long winless drought this Saturday in Richmond.

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Hendrick’s Hiccups Only Temporary
You don’t hear this often: Hendrick Motorsports has only one driver in the top 10 and three outside the top 20.

No need to worry just yet. Jimmie Johnson, currently 37th due in most part to a 25-point penalty after Daytona, has won four times at Las Vegas, more than any other driver.

Jeff Gordon, currently 22nd, won at Las Vegas in 2001.

Currently 32nd, Kasey Kahne earned his first pole at Las Vegas, in 2004. He has four top 10s in eight races at the 1.5-mile track.

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STATEMENT FROM HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS

CONCORD, N.C. – Monday evening, a Gulfstream G150 aircraft operated by Hendrick Motorsports ran off the runway after experiencing braking issues upon landing at Key West International Airport in Key West, Fla.

All four people on board—Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick, his wife, Linda Hendrick, and two Hendrick Motorsports pilots—were released from Lower Keys Medical Center early Tuesday morning.

Rick Hendrick was diagnosed with a broken rib and a broken clavicle, and Linda Hendrick was treated for minor cuts and bruises. Both pilots were evaluated and released without injury. All four have safely returned to North Carolina.
The aircraft, which is joint-owned by Hendrick Motorsports and Jimmie Johnson Racing, remains in Key West.

UPDATE

Upon returning home to Charlotte, N.C., on Tuesday, Mr. Hendrick was further evaluated as a precautionary measure by his personal physician. He was diagnosed with four broken ribs (previously stated as one broken rib), a broken clavicle (as previously stated) and bruising. No other injuries have been identified.

Due to discomfort from the injuries, Mr. Hendrick was admitted Tuesday afternoon to a medical facility in the Charlotte area, where doctors believe the pain can most effectively be managed. He is in good spirits and is expected to be released by the end of the week.

Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports:
“Linda and I have been overwhelmed by all the words of encouragement and genuine concern we’ve received. We are blessed to have such a wonderful support system, and our family is extremely grateful for the thoughts and prayers. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone.

“I’m so proud of how our pilots handled the situation, and we’re extremely appreciative of the folks in Key West who went above and beyond to help us. It’s good to be back in Charlotte as we regroup and focus on our family.”

CONCORD, N.C. – Hendrick Motorsports and driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. have agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep Earnhardt behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevrolets through the end of the 2017 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

“We’re excited to have everything formalized and announced,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Junior and I had a handshake agreement months ago, and we let other people work out the finer points from there. It was as simple and smooth as it gets.

“My feelings haven’t changed since the day he first signed with us. I’m committed as ever to putting him in the best possible situation to be successful and compete for wins and championships.”

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