NASCAR WCUP: Jeff Gordon comments on winning at Dover
Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
June 4, 2001Jeff Gordon, No. 24 Dupont Chevrolet Monte Carlo
(4th win at Dover Downs - 54th career win): "We just had such a great car that wanted to be out front and stay out front. That's the best car I've ever had here because I could go out and I could lead even when the tires were down - when typically we'd be spinning out. The car just stayed with me over the long haul. It was great. I just can't say enough of this team - all the guys and this Dupont Chevrolet. They just did a phenomenal job in the pits all day. Just all around it was a great effort. Hopefully this is a sign of some great things to come."
(In the second segment, you didn't have as big of a lead. Was that by design?) "No, I was just in a lot of traffic. The car was real good at times by itself, and at times it kept going back and forth between tight and loose. But there at the end, (Steve) Park gave me a heck of a run. Luckily we had the car dialed in right then."
(With 50 laps to go, did you tell your crew to make any adjustments or to leave it like it was?) "Well, I think they freed it up a little bit maybe with some air pressure. Luckily we ran a few laps and got the pressure built up and that's why the car was just great in clean air there out in front. That's what we were hoping for was clean air, and we were. Man the car was just great. I just want to thank everybody from Dupont. I know that we've got a lot of other sponsors - Pepsi, Fritos, Quaker State, GMAC, Chevrolet - but this one's for Dupont. They do a lot for us. We got to see a lot of those folks on Thursday in Wilmington and they have a lot of customers that came to the race today. This one's for them."
Steve Park, No. 1 Pennzoil Chevrolet Monte Carlo (finished 2nd): "What can I say about this Pennzoil Chevrolet? What a great racecar, what a great race team. I'm a little disappointed - man, Jeff (Gordon) was fast. He was just driving the wheels off that thing and I was too -- trying to catch him. We'll take second (place) today, but we're not happy about it. Paul (Andrews, crew chief) and the guys just did a fantastic job. I'd like to thank Pennzoil and all these great race fans here in Dover."
Text provided by Nancy Wager
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