Posted May 4, 2019 by Justin Melillo Cup

Hendrick Motorsports brings speed to Dover following Talladega victory

Chase Elliott (9) and William Byron (24) during final practice at Dover International Speedway. Photo by Justin Melillo / TRE

DOVER, Del.— Things are looking up for Hendrick Motorsports.

Last weekend, Chase Elliott scored the organization’s first victory of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series campaign at Talladega Superspeedway.

This weekend, the momentum seems to be continuing.

Chase Elliott Jimmie Johnson Alex Bowman — Chase Elliott, Jimmie Johnson, and Alex Bowman stroll down pit road at Daytona International Speedway in 2018. Photo by Erick Messer / TRE

On Friday afternoon, Elliott and teammate William Byron secured the front row starting positions for the Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway.

“It was a great lap,” Elliott said after winning the pole. “I appreciate the effort, and it’s been a great week. Things can go south a lot quicker than they can go good. It’s just a starting spot, but we will try and take advantage of it with that good pit box on Sunday.”

The No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro driven by Alex Bowman rounded out the Top 5 starting positions.

“I feel like I have run well here in the past, especially in the Xfinity car,” Bowman said before his qualifying effort. “Last year we didn’t really get the results we deserved in the Cup car.

“I enjoy this place, and its pretty cut and dry as far as how you drive it. You just have to get your car where you need it to, to be successful.”

Jimmie Johnson Dover Final Practice — Jimmie Johnson set the fastest lap in final practice at Dover International Speedway on Saturday, May 4th, 2019. Photo by Justin Melillo / TRE

On Saturday, Jimmie Johnson capped off the final practice of the weekend on top of the charts in the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Camaro.

Johnson was the lowest qualifying Hendrick Motorsports driver, starting 12th on Sunday afternoon, but he also has the most wins out of any active driver at 11, with his last victory coming 69 races ago at the “Monster Mile”.

“You saw our speed at the plate tracks,” Johnson said after final practice. “Texas was good for our company, this weekend has been a good weekend, but at Richmond we were a bit off.

“We are putting pieces of the puzzle together and it seems like three of the five disciplines we have a much better handle on right now, which is very encouraging.”