NASCAR powerhouse returns after 13 years away
By Asher Fair
For the first time since 2009, Hendrick Motorsports plan to compete in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, announcing a three-race schedule for 2022.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday that they will return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series this summer after an absence of more than 13 years.
The Cup Series powerhouse is set to return with a three-race schedule that begins early next month.
The Rick Hendrick-owned team is set to field the #17 Chevrolet in the upcoming road course races at Road America, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and Watkins Glen International.
The car is set to be sponsored by HendrickCars.com in all three events.
Three of the team’s four Cup Series drivers are set to have the opportunity to compete in one of these races.
Kyle Larson is set to drive the #17 Chevrolet in the Henry 180 at Road America on Saturday, July 2, Alex Bowman is set to drive it in the Pennzoil 150 at The Brickyard at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on Saturday, July 30, and William Byron is set to drive it in the race (official name TBD) at Watkins Glen International on Saturday, August 20.
The most recent Xfinity Series race in which Hendrick Motorsports competed was the 2009 season opener at Daytona International Speedway, back when the series was still known as the Nationwide Series. Tony Stewart drove the #80 Chevrolet in this event, and he drove it to victory lane.
As for the number 17, Hendrick Motorsports have run the number before, but not since the 2001 Truck Series season when it was used full-time by Rick Hendrick’s late son, Ricky. He earned one win behind the wheel of the #17 Chevrolet at Kansas Speedway and finished in sixth place in the championship standings.
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There are just two races remaining on the Xfinity Series schedule prior to the return of Hendrick Motorsports, including the inaugural Pacific Office Automation 147 at Portland International Raceway this Saturday, June 4 and the Tennessee Lottery 250 at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday, June 25.