REDEMPTION ON GORDON'S MIND AT DAYTONA

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Don't expect Jeff Gordon to make the same mistake 
twice at Daytona.
    Gordon, who is driving a special DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet this Saturday 
night, was leading the 2002 Daytona 500 when a caution came out late in the 
race. On the ensuing restart, with six laps remaining, he moved down the 
track to block second-place Sterling Marlin. The result was Gordon spinning 
through the infield grass and eliminating his chance to win a third career 
Daytona 500. He recovered to finish ninth, his best finish in the last six 
races at the famed speedway.
    "I should have just given up when he got beside me and still had a battle 
and a shot to win," said Gordon. "I hated to see that last caution. We were 
in a perfect position to win.
    "It was a crazy race out there. I went from the back to the front, the 
front to the back. It was incredible."
    Incredible may be the best word that describes the 2002 Winston Cup 
season for Gordon. Despite being marred in a 24-race winless streak, the 
longest since winning his first NASCAR Winston Cup race in 1994, he is still 
third in the point standings, just 82 behind leader Marlin.  
    Moving up the point standings is not the only incentive Gordon has 
Saturday night. By virtue of finishing in the top five in Charlotte earlier 
this year, Gordon became eligible for the Winston No Bull 5 million-dollar 
bonus. If he wins the race, he and a lucky fan will each receive one million 
dollars. Since the program's inception in 1998, Gordon has been eligible nine 
times and has won four - more than any driver.
    "If the points lead and a million-dollar bonus doesn't get your blood 
going then perhaps you should get your pulse checked," said Gordon. "I think 
it's great that we get this opportunity to do this for the fans."
    Overall, in 19 career Winston Cup races at Daytona, Gordon has four wins, 
two poles, eight top-five and 11 top-10 finishes. The No. 24 team will 
compete in the same car that donned a "DuPont 200th Anniversary" paint scheme 
and won his Twin-125 qualifying race and nearly won the Daytona 500 in 
February.
    "It's going to be a wild race under the lights," said Gordon. "If we're 
up front with about five laps to go, then I like our chances."