News Scan: Bold Moves, Dramatic Finishes; Gordon Well On His Way To The NASCAR Nextel Cup Title
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Oct 09, 2007
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Jeff Gordon had not won a race since June, and his owners were no doubt beginning to wonder if he could truly carry them to a league championship during these final weeks. Gordon has been more consistent than any other driver this season, though, and consistency is what wins fantasy and Nextel Cup championships. Bold moves during dramatic finishes help as well. Although he appeared destined for a second-place finish on Sunday, Gordon gave his owners a major boost toward their league championships with a thrilling victory at Talladega on Sunday.
When it counted the most, though, Gordon shot in front of Stewart and ahead of Johnson. He now has 24 top-10 finishes and 18 top-5 showings, including four top-5 finishes in his last five races. Gordon overcame a pit road penalty and a 34th-place starting position. At one point, he fell as low as the 40th spot. Stewart seemed like the favorite to win the race, but ultimately finished eighth and now becomes one of many drivers who will be chasing Hendrick’s dynamic duo during the final six races.
It’s looking as though the Hendrick pair of Gordon and Johnson, along with Stewart, is going to decide both the Nextel Cup and fantasy league championships. Scott Engel, ESPN
For the first half of Sunday’s race, it looked as if Jeff Burton, Martin Truex Jr. and Kyle Busch were making inroads toward getting back into contention for NASCAR’s Chase for the Nextel Cup during the Car of Tomorrow’s debut at a restrictor-plate track.
One by one, Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama dashed those hopes, and the 12-driver Chase seemingly has turned into a three-man battle. Leader Jeff Gordon is nine points ahead of Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson, with Richard Childress Racing’s Clint Bowyer in third, 63 points behind Gordon. NWSource.com
It was the type of brilliant, breathtaking move that makes Gordon the greatest stock-car driver today, and one of the greatest ever.
Jeff Owens
And it just might have been the move that wins him his fifth NASCAR Nextel Cup Series championship.
Gordon’s move Sunday ranks right up there. Nowhere to be found for much of the race, he suddenly materialized in the lead pack with 10 laps to go.
And then, just when it seemed like his teammate, Jimmie Johnson, would win the race, possibly crossing the finish line side by side with Stewart, Gordon pulls off a sensational move to steal the victory. Jeff Owens, FoxSports
