Star power doesn't translate into horsepower for Hendrick Motorsports

Jeff, Jimmie and Junior; how can the best team money can buy lose?

The heralded addition of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and four-time titlist Jeff Gordon was supposed to make the dominating Hendrick Motorsports team even better.

But through 15 Sprint Cup points races in 2008, Hendrick's "Super Team" has rolled more like Clark Kent than Men of Steel with just two victories entering Sunday's Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma.

"One of the biggest things this year is our competitors have really stepped it up," Gordon explained in a teleconference this week. "While we were battling for a championship last year, our competitors were focused on this year, and they got ahead of us."

Last year, Johnson and Gordon finished 1-2 in the Chase for the Championship with then-teammate Kyle Busch a close fifth. Earnhardt replaced Busch, but in a different car as Hendrick's Casey Mears (15th overall in 2007) slid over to the No. 5.

Before Earnhardt's win Sunday in Michigan, Hendrick had only one prior victory. Hendrick totaled 18 in 2007 – half the Cup schedule.

Still, their marquee status remains unrivaled. This week, Forbes magazine ranked Hendrick as the most valuable team in NASCAR with an estimated worth of $335 million – more than 13 NBA and seven major-league baseball teams. Hendrick also has NASCAR's three highest-paid drivers: Gordon (a reported $32 million), Earnhardt ($31 million) and Johnson ($23 million).

To add to their exasperation, Busch now routinely beats his former superstar teammates. Driving the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, Busch currently leads the Cup standings with four wins and nine top-five finishes out of 15 starts.

But with 11 races to go before the Chase, look who's also in the top 10: Earnhardt (ranked third), Johnson (fifth) and Gordon (ninth).

And now they head to Infineon Raceway, arguably their best track.

Out of 19 Cup races at Infineon, Hendrick has won five, all by Gordon. And once more, their Chevrolets look formidable.

"There's nothing better than June in Sonoma," Johnson said. "I'm really excited."

Gordon always feels at home in Northern California.

"Sonoma is a special place for me, obviously being from Vallejo and having a lot of family and friends here," he said in a conference call.

Gordon and his wife, Ingrid, announced their engagement at the 2006 event. Last year, their daughter was born during race week. Friday, the family is celebrating Ella's first birthday – and maybe more. That's also pole day.

Gordon expects this week's visit to put his No. 24 securely on the right road course to success. With two poles but no wins in 2008, Gordon has earned five poles in 15 starts at Infineon.

"Sonoma is one of those tracks where no matter what kind of season we're having," Gordon said, "we can go out there and be competitive enough to win the race."

Johnson has made Sonoma a priority on his 2008 to-do list. He rates 2005 race winner Tony Stewart, Busch's new teammate, and Gordon as the favorites.

"I think that the No. 20 car (Stewart) is probably the best car there over the last four or five years," Johnson said. "The No. 24 car (Gordon) will be right there behind him."

In his new No. 88 Chevrolet, Earnhardt arrives off his first victory for his new team, breaking a 76-race losing streak.

"We've worked hard to be consistent all year – though I missed the joy of winning," Earnhardt told reporters. "The winless streak didn't frustrate me as much as most people would think. I was so happy to be (with Hendrick's team) and so satisfied with how we've run."

Mears, a Bakersfield native, has been steadily improving, say his teammates. He's currently 27th in points.

"They just need one good showing to get their momentum going in the right direction," Johnson said.

Except for the wins, Johnson doesn't see that much difference between this season and last for his No. 48.

"I think everyone can see the progress we're making," he said. "The No. 48 car is getting stronger and stronger each week, and hopefully we'll peak at the right time and be a threat for this championship."

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