2015 Team Spotlight Preview: Hendrick Motorsports

HMS 2015 Season Preview

By Richard Tix

2014 Season Review

2014 Season Statistics

Races: 144

Wins:13

Top 5: 40

Top 10: 74

Pole: 4

2014 Chase Drivers: 4

As a whole HMS had a fantastic season, the only thing missing really was a Championship. The season started off with a bang when Dale Earnhardt Jr won the 2014 Daytona 500. Things kept moving along and in the end three of the four drivers had four wins and all four made the Chase.

Within that dynamic you could say Jr and Gordon had fantastic seasons for there own reasons. Gordon bounce back in a big way and proved he still can contend. Jr had a break out season in Steve Letartes last year as his CC. Both drivers at one point were true title contenders. 

On the other hand Jimmie Johnson and Kahne were a bit disappointing. JJ was disappointing only because he didn't make a run at the Championship. He still had 4 wins and 20 top 10's during the season which is no small feat. Kahne struggled in a season when his three teammates did so well.

So what will 2015 bring? One thing is for sure, Gordon announced 2015 would be his last full-time season and will take a step out of the #24. In 2016 Chase Elliott will take over for Gordon in the 24 and try to start his own legacy. 

As usual I think we can expect a strong 2015 season from Hendrick and to have at least one guy contend for the title. HMS main goal after a year in which they did not take part in the finale at Miami is to get a guy in position to win at the final race.

Jimmie Johnson

• I have no doubt in my mind that JJ will be back in the conversation for another title in 2015. 2014 was a bit of an off year for the team, yet they won four races, 11 top 5's, and 20 top 10's. For most people that is a great season, not a down season. Thing's can only go up.

Jeff Gordon

• In 2016 it will be weird not seeing Gordon on the track every week. 2015 to me, will be a season to soak in all the Gordon memories he has left us. It would be great to see him have another season like 2014 where he is in the Championship talks come the end of the year.

Dale Earnhardt Jr

• I for one loved the 2014 season. I am a supporter of the Chase (most of the Chase that is, still wish the last race would rotate). But, the big thing that made the season great was guys like Jr and Gordon were on top of there game. The sport is better when the big stars run well. 2015 can top that if Gordon, JJ, JR, BK, and Kyle Busch are all on their A game.

Kasey Kahne

• It was a rough year for Kahne in 2014. He struggled to find consistency all year but finally pulled out a win late in the season to make the Chase. For the most part that was the end of the high because the Chase didn't go as planned, either. In 2015 he will be back with a new contract and all the Kahne fans out there will be hoping he will be back to the front.