The "24" and the "3" drivers.....

[rich76]

GO




I'm rooting for you.




Gordon looks for No. 77 on late Earnhardt's best track
By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
April 29, 2007
01:36 PM EDT

type size: + -TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Dale Earnhardt taught him how to drive at Talladega Superspeedway, how to use mirrors and the draft and the air to win at NASCAR's biggest track. Now Jeff Gordon will try to use those same tactics to surpass the late seven-time champion on the sport's all-time victory list.

Gordon's victory last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway was the 76th of his career, tying him with Earnhardt for sixth in premier-series wins. Now he turns his sights to Talladega, the big, fast, unforgiving beast in the north Alabama hills, where he could pass Earnhardt like the Intimidator passed so many people here.

"Nobody was better than him. I think I may have beaten him one time here, and I thought it was one of the greatest accomplishments in my career, because I watched him just wear guys out," said Gordon, who will start Sunday's Aaron's 499 as the pole winner (watch here) and leader in Nextel Cup points.

"I can remember being in a race, riding along toward the end, trying to make some moves happen and Dale was nowhere in sight. All of the sudden, the checkered flag is waving and I'm like, 'Who won?' They're like, 'Dale.' You've got to be kidding me. That guy is nowhere even in the hunt. He was amazing here. To be able to win here meant a lot to me, especially when I raced with him. I just take that along with me, and it would be a great victory to be able to do that."

He may have been a son of North Carolina, but nowhere is the Earnhardt legacy stronger than Talladega. Daytona International Speedway, the sport's other restrictor-plate venue, frustrated him throughout his career and eventually took his life in 2001. But in Alabama he was bigger than a Crimson Tide quarterback, winning a track record 14 times on three different circuits, 10 of them coming in the series now known as Nextel Cup. His most memorable may have been his final career victory, when in October of 2000 he vaulted from 18th to first in the final five laps.

[rich76]

[parrotheadduff]

Another great finish. Not the result I was looking for, but still exciting.

[rich76]

20 was not happy getting rearended after he was already out of it. In his defense it sure looked like he had a gripe.

Great race......Gordon made his move at the exact right time. He surte looks like he's in championship form this year. I remember some knucklehead here saying that he'll NEVER win another championship.....of course it's early but he and his team sure look like they've "got it" going on.

[AzElvis]

Thought for sure it was Jr.'s race. More bad luck for the #8 team. McMurray was blockin too much and let Gordon through while blockin Jr. Then the caution flew and #24 in front and Jr. 8th. Still got back to 5th before another caution ended it. Bad luck.

[rich76]

It wasn't bad luck it was not good driving...Jr let him self get outjumped and caught high on the outside while the "train" took off low....period. Gordon made the right move at the right time..........and won the race.

[parrotheadduff]

NASCAR planned the casution the the Green White Checker so Gordon would win

[AzElvis]

Originally Posted by rich76

It wasn't bad luck it was not good driving...Jr let him self get outjumped and caught high on the outside while the "train" took off low....period. Gordon made the right move at the right time..........and won the race.

Gordon did not know a wreck was gonna happen. Jamie came up to block and Gordon squeezed through the screen. Jr. was almost sleepwalking through the race until the end in which he move up at will. I still think they should restart the race and finish under green. With many racers on the same team who knows who gets aggressive when their mate is up front. Jr. will take #5 finish but it appeared it was his race to win or lose if it finished without the wreck. The 2nd wreck we'll never know. TRAIN? I love it, this is definitely an exciting race to see a guy go from 33 to 1st in a lap or so. RICHMOND next week. Complete opposite. See ya Sat.

[lepconn]

i just wished they would finish the race under green. i have no favorite driver now so it doesnt matter who wins, just that they would end the race right.

[AzElvis]

Yeah I hate that. Kind of like: Here's the pitch, it is a screamer to deep left-center, going, going,, uh oh someone in the bullpen has let a ball get on the field...well people this game is over! Bears down 5 and the pitch to Benson he gets a hole he could go 30-20-uh oh Cheerleader just banged into a coach...what a shame. Game over Rams win. BS BS BS

[StormJr]

i dont follow nascar enough to know for sure....but dont they always finish with a green-white-checker type finish?

[rich76]

yes they do and if another caution comes out on a green/white/checker..then the field is frozen and the race is over.

[StormJr]

Originally Posted by rich76

yes they do and if another caution comes out on a green/white/checker..then the field is frozen and the race is over.

is that what happened?

[rich76]

precisely

[StormJr]

Originally Posted by rich76

precisely

ah...ok....thanks