Hendrick keeps faith in GM cars

BROOKLYN, Mich. --- Car owner Rick Hendrick vowed Sunday as long as Chevrolet has a pulse, he will continue to race -- and win -- with them.

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Minutes after one of his Hendrick Motorsports cars, the No. 5 Impala for Mark Martin , won the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway, he predicted the car company that's located an hour from the racetrack would emerge from bankruptcy "leaner and meaner."

General Motors filed for bankruptcy last week and said Friday it was dropping its support of the Craftsman Truck and Nationwide series. The car company has scheduled a meeting with its Sprint Cup teams Wednesday to announce further cuts.

"It's always good to win in Michigan because all the manufacturers are here," Hendrick said. "I'm a team player and a supporter of Chevrolet. I think they're going to come out of this better than they've ever been ..."

His drivers are just as loyal.

"I think they're going to be a stronger company when they get through this," Jeff Gordon said after finishing second. "You're not going to hear me say one negative thing or question or doubt where Chevrolet lies with their support. We know there's some tough times and decisions that have to be made. We are going to support them, whatever those are."

FOR THE LONG HAUL: The current stretch of races will keep NASCAR teams on the road and create a litany of challenges for the truck drivers.

Carl Edwards' team will need three drivers and three airline tickets to complete the next three races: Sonoma, Calif., Loudon, N.H., and Daytona Beach, Fla.

Laws prohibit drivers from working more than 11 hours in a day or 70 hours in a week. Since the team haulers have to return to Concord, N.C., between races, car owner Jack Roush was forced to create an elaborate plan just to get his race cars to the track.

"This is the toughest stretch of the year," lead driver Bob Decker said. "The only time this truck won't be moving will be during the race."