Hendrick Motorsports has claimed seven of the last 10 points-paying races run at Lowe’s. Last year, Jeff Gordon took his fifth checkered flag (’99, ’98, ’97 and ’94) at the 1.5-mile track in October, while teammate Casey Mears earned the first Cup win of his young career in May. Before that, Jimmie Johnson won five of the six races at his primary sponsor’s track from 2003–05.

Breaking up the Hendrick dominance was Kasey Kahne, who swept in Charlotte in 2006, while Tony Stewart won in October 2003.

But even then, Johnson was in position to win — taking a runner-up to Kahne in both ’06 races and a third in the fall of ’03. From 2003–06, Johnson recorded five wins, two seconds and one third over the eight races. Last year, JJ “struggled” with a 10th (83 laps led) and a 14th (95 laps led).

Johnson is currently tied with Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Gordon for the second-most wins (five) in Charlotte history, trailing only Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison (six).

As the frontman at DEI, Dale Earnhardt Jr. had four top 5-finishes, including a third in 2004 and a fourth with 175 laps led from the pole in 2000. As the newest face of the Hendrick empire, Junior should contend for a win or two.

A good darkhorse candidate isJeff Burton, who has three Nationwide wins at Lowe’s and three top-10 finishes in his last four Cup races (fourth in Oct. ’07, third in Oct. ’06 and sixth in May ’06).

FANTASY STALL

Looking at Checkers
Can’t go wrong with Jimmie Johnson.
Pretty Solid Pick
Carl Edwards will get one here before long.
Good Sleeper Pick
Dave Blaney.
Runs on Seven Cylinders
David Gilliland.

Insider Tip
How the CoT affects the racing here is the big question. Stay with the safe plays at HMS.

KEEP AN EYE ON...
Kurt Busch The Miller Lite pitchman led 107 laps in the Coca-Cola 600 last year before a crash ended his evening. He was tough in the fall too, leading 13 laps before a pit road mishap ruined his evening.

Bobby Labonte If Jeff Meendering brings some of his Hendrick CoT know-how to the 43, Labonte should replicate — or better — his 12th- and 13th-place runs at Lowe’s last season.

Mark Martin A fantasy player’s dream, Martin is a lock for a top 15 at Lowe’s.

Brian Vickers If he qualifies, he may make another darkhorse play. Vickers gave Toyota its first Cup Series top 5 in the Coke 600 last season thanks to nifty fuel mileage. His TRB teammate, A.J. Allmendinger, ran 15th in the fall race at Lowe’s.