NASCAR WCUP: Gordon seeks return of early success at Daytona

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

July 6, 2001

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - With six top-three finishes in his last seven races of the 2001 season, Jeff Gordon, driver of the DuPont Chevrolet, enters the Pepsi 400 on Saturday with momentum on his side. The three-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion hopes the momentum will carry over to Daytona International Speedway where he looks to improve his recent results at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.

Although Gordon scored seven top 10's in his first nine events at Daytona and captured "non-points" victories in his first Twin 125 qualifier (1993) and first Busch Clash (1994), he has achieved only one top 10 in his last four starts. Overall, he has four wins including two Daytona 500's, two poles, eight top five's and 10 top 10's in 17 starts.

"Recently we haven't had the finishes here we would have liked," said Gordon. "Whether it's been accidents or mechanical failures, we've had good cars but haven't posted good results.

"It's tougher than ever to win with the aero rules. It seems everyone who starts the race has a chance to win. You're constantly trying to work your way to the front and all of a sudden, a line of cars pass you and you have to start the process all over.

"I don't plan on hanging back. My strategy has always been to run up front, lead laps and hopefully be in position at the end to win. If I don't win, hopefully I'll finish in the top five."

Gordon's strategy has worked well this year. He is tied for most wins (3), leads the point standings by 126 and leads the 2001 Winston Cup Series in the following categories: poles (4), top five's (11), races led (14), laps led (1,276), average finish (10.3) and average start (7.6). In fact, Gordon has four more top five's and has led 804 more laps than his closest competitors.

In eight starts in the Pepsi 400, Gordon has completed all 1,237 laps run, has an 8.7 average finish and is a two-time winner including the first Pepsi 400 run "under the lights" in 1998.

"This race is exciting for the drivers and the fans," said Gordon, whose car will carry a special DuPont/Pepsi paint scheme this weekend. "There's something about racing at night that makes it much more spectacular.

"But as much as we're looking forward to it, we'll all have Dale (Earnhardt) on our minds. We always have him on our minds, but it will really hit home this weekend. He was the man to beat at Daytona and Talladega.

"I was always fascinated with how he could pass a car without any help. I learned so much by just watching him.

"He was the best that I've ever raced against."

Text provided by Jon Edwards

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