NASCAR Cup

Dover II: Jeff Gordon preview

GORDON CHASING NO. 5 AT DOVER DOVER, Del. (September 16, 2008) - Although it was not the start he wanted in the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," Jeff Gordon narrowly avoided a major hit - on the track and in the standings - at New Hampshire ...

Published: Sep 19, 2008, 4:39 AM

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GORDON CHASING NO. 5 AT DOVER

DOVER, Del. (September 16, 2008) - Although it was not the start he wanted in the "Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup," Jeff Gordon narrowly avoided a major hit - on the track and in the standings - at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) last weekend. Entering Sunday's Camping World RV 400, No. 5 is the goal for the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and four-time Dover International Speedway winner.

After losing valuable track position during pit stops twice due to being "blocked" in his pit stall at NHMS, Gordon battled back into the top 10 with less than 20 laps remaining last Sunday. But he was forced to slow dramatically to avoid a spinning car late in the event resulting in a 14th-place finish.

"We had a better car than our finishing position showed last week and that's sort of the way our year has gone so far," Gordon said. "We lost track position several times and it was hard to fight back from it.

"I guess it could have been much worse if I had been collected in the wreck." But that event is history, and Team DuPont's focus is Dover.

"We shake off every race that is behind us - whether we win or finish 40th," said Gordon, who is 11th in the standings, 99 points behind the leaders. "We are a dangerous organization and we enter each race thinking we can win.

"And that's what we hope to do at Dover."

In 31 starts at the one-mile track, Gordon has four wins, three poles, 14 top-fives and 19 top-10's. Earlier this year, he finished fifth - one of only six drivers to complete all 400 laps.

"We were good here earlier this year, and I hope we can make some gains to challenge for the win," said Gordon. "It's a great track - one that's high-banked, fast, with action-filled races and multiple grooves."

Gordon hopes to find the 'groove' this weekend, and for the remainder of the season.

"A strong run - and especially a strong finish - is what we need," said Gordon. "We're testing this week on a 1.5-mile track, and I hope that pays dividends later on this year.

"But on Friday, our mindset will be getting the most out of this race weekend. It would be nice to put on a good show for all the DuPont guests and employees in attendance since their headquarters are right up the road in Wilmington." And win No. 5 in Dover could provide momentum for title No. 5.

-credit: hm

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