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."
I'll say it again....Gordon's on fire and I'm loving it. Although I wouldn't be upset by any means if Smoke won one for Cindi thsi weekend, I'd be happy to see him squirting Pepsi at the end of the day. Nice post with pics. Go Gordon!
I don't buy conspiracy theories. Now watch the dreaded show caution appear. I noted Gordon's press is downplaying the possibility. They must be getting heat.
Steeler,
Thanks man. Going to the track today for qualifying?
I'm too busy at school. Ton of work to get caught up for the term end next week. I wouldn't mind camping out there for the week sometime. I wanted to wear a Gordon hat Sunday, but I don't feel like driving home covered with Pepsi...ha ha.
nice piece as usual falcons and it would be great to see stirling up in the mix with the usual suspects as im thinking ginn racing uses hendricks power plants ???? not for sure maybe you can shed a little light on that.... any way lets hope brainless france and his stooge hitman helton allow good racing and the big one never appear
Yep Gordon has been on a roll lately. Looks like he will still be hot starting on the pole.. Nice that you mentioned Sterling too. Ummm. It would be nice to see the race with out a mystery caution. Perhaps NASCAR will not throw one unless there is a cow on the track considering the latest flack being thrown.
Uh.. Let me rephrase that. Will not throw a caution unless there is a Buffalo on the track. Seens farmer Jones down there has Buffalo on his farm instead of cows that get loose.
I was underneath the grandstand in KC drinking beer way before the start of the IRL race giving other NASCAR fans the play by play as I listened on my headset radio. I had a Sterling cap on (because it had Ganassi Racing on it and he has an IRL team) but when Sterling took the lead I made sure the Gordon fan I was doing the play by play for knew it. There was a Jr fan and a Stewart fan sitting around too. So we all had a good time. I was going crazy for the 18 laps Sterling led. I knew it might be the highlight of the year for us Marlin fans.
As the race neared its end the IRL race was in the middle of its show. I kept fans around me posted on NASCAR as well. They were all turning around and asking me what was happening. As the Cup race neared its end they were real interested. Then I had to explain to everyone that there was a delay while they cleaned up Reuttiman's oil.
When it was over young an old alike were all interested in the finish. All the Gordon fans around me were excited and they liked Jimmie finishing second of course. Being we were in Missouri, me and the guy next to me were happy for Jamie on his third place finish. I was proud of Denny Hamlin as well. I hated Sterling got his nose torn up. I also hated to here Bowyer get in the wall and Edwards break a part early.
Last edited by 14Falcons on April 30th at 8:59 PM.
One Gordon fan I told he won too wasn't overly excited. He was taping the race to watch later. But it was funny because he said I was the second guy who told him Gordon won. He was a good guy. I asked him if anyone told him what part Tony played in the finish he said no. So I said, see? You've still got a reason to watch the tape now. He laughed.
And yes deemon, Ginn Racing runs Hendrick power. I was talking to one Hendrick fan about that at the truck race on Saturday and how some Sterling fans didn't get that essentially we were team-mates.
Last edited by 14Falcons on April 30th at 9:02 PM.
Was the one about the Earnhart fans throwing #### on the track, but after reading it again,maybe you were telling Texas or some one to shut up... Read the new one..Hey and it was cool seeing those old farts and underdogs running up front. On the lead lap to boot..Not on a restart, {see, got it in again}
"But all this must be suffered by those who profess the stern order of chivalry" Most Interesting Blog, June 16, 2008 and six other occasions. Lisa awarded him Best "breaking news" blogger March 31, 2008. Blog of The Day, Christmas Day, 2007. edhardiman wrote, "Falco's tribute to Rocket Richard reminds us all the stars of today stand on the shoulders of giants..." October 23, 2007. Three Golden Swirrly p00p Awards (Hockey, NASCAR and Use of Graphics), FlyingPig, July 18, 2007. 2007 Memorial Day Weekend Trifecta sponsored by williamwilman . Featured on WFORacingFans April, 2007. "Stylin'" award, Dusty, February 07. "One of ten new bloggers to watch" Dudski, January 2007.
