Jeff Gordon has led 729 laps at Talladega to be exact. 729 laps have resulted in the Du Pont Chevy coming across the starting line in first. That is 729 very fast very hectic circles of prime Alabama Real Estate.
A week after matching Dale Earnhardt’s total of 76 NASCAR Cup Series wins, Gordon now hopes to tie one of The Intimidator’s records – most restrictor-plate victories – in this Sunday’s Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Earnhardt collected three wins at Daytona, including the 1998 Daytona 500 – a race that had eluded him for so many years. The seven-time Cup champion won 10 times at Talladega – eight times during the restrictor-plate era including win No. 76 in 2000.
"Obviously, last Saturday night’s win was special," said Gordon. "Anytime you accomplish something that ‘Senior’ did, you’ve done something special."
As if it was made for TV, Dale Earnhardt Jr. is second in Talladega laps led with 537. Jr. has five wins at Talladega and is looking for number six. Why is Jr. so good at Talladega?
"A lot of reasons, my dad put a lot of emphasis on the restrictor plate program. He brought Richie Gilmore in who was one of the best at building restrictor plate motors. We have one of the best body men in Tony Eury Jr. We have a lot of guys in the shop who have brought their own knowledge."
Behind the wheel of his Ginn Racing/Waste Management Chevrolet, Sterling Marlin looks to add to the 437 laps he's led at Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Marlin is third in laps led at Dega. He's in pretty good company. It's just another indication of how good the old wiley veteran is.
"I love superspeedway racing," said Marlin. "It can be some of the most fun you'll have. It can also be the most frustrating. No matter how good your car is and how good you're running, you can't look very far ahead. Until you take that checkered flag, anything can happen."
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