Hendrick Motorsports Announces Comeback

In case you missed it, Hendrick Motorsports made a big announcement at Daytona International Speedway. And no, it wasn't that Mark Martin is coming on board next year.

Instead, Rick Hendrick's three musketeers loudly and convincingly announced their rebirth during the Coke Zero 400.

It's well documented that in 2007, the Hendrick bunch won everything in the series, and driver Jimmie Johnson captured his second championship. However, in 2008, all of the attention the "Fab Four" have been getting is for all the wrong reasons.

To date, the company only has two wins, the first coming from defending champ Johnson on a fuel-mileage gamble at Phoenix in April. Then, two months and three days later, newcomer Dale Earnhardt Jr. picked up the win at Michigan: on fuel mileage.

At this time last year, HMS had nine wins and 1,625 laps led, compared to this year's two wins and 1,536 laps led.

This year, everyone, except the HMS drivers, has been quick to say that they are at the bottom of the totem pole in performance, and an unfamiliar question was posed: What's wrong with the powerhouse of Hendrick Motorsports? 

The performance was down, but last Saturday, Gordon, Johnson, Earnhardt Jr., and future teammate Mark Martin boldly proclaimed, "We'reeee Back."

Gordon, Johnson, and Earnhardt Jr. all led multiple laps and spent plenty of time in the top 10, working with each other to help get to the front. At one point, all three were lined up bumper-to-bumper at the front of the pack. Then Mark Martin caught on to create a four-car train that foreshadows what everyone will be seeing next year.

The Coke Zero 400 was reminiscent of how the company ran last year when they were all unbeatable. Even Jeff Gordon, who's had a less-than-spectacular season and is still winless said, "It's unfortunate [finishing 30th], we had such a strong run...the car handled unbelievable...my car worked anywhere...It was just awesome. I love having a car like that."

Jimmie Johnson said earlier in the year that Hendrick Motorsports was making huge gains in the race shop, and it certainly showed at Daytona, although the results don't back the story up.

But as the series heads to Chicago, with all three drivers happy and in the top six in points, it marks the second half of the season. It may also have the Hendrick bunch preparing to give Kyle Busch a run for his money.