Marlin hot after Dover incident

DOVER, Del. - Jeff Gordon's and Sterling Marlin's cars just seem to be attracted to one another. For the second time in three weeks, the No. 24 and the No. 40 were involved in an on-track incident, with the result being bent sheet metal.

Sunday at Dover, while racing for position, Marlin and Gordon got together in turn four. The result was the No 40 Ganassi Dodge spinning and slamming into the inside wall. While Marlin sought shelter and repair in the garage, Gordon motored his way to a second place finish.

Marlin was not amused.

"That's twice in the last three races," said Marlin. "It's kinda getting old. I don't know what's wrong with the 24, but we need to find out. You've got to give and take in this league, and he has done a lot of taking."

At The Winston two weeks ago, same story, same result.

"It's disappointing. We had a shot to win this thing," Marlin said. "The car was good. It's been good just about every week, but it seems like we can't avoid all this crazy stuff that happens out here."

Gordon claimed neither incident was intentional.

"I'm sure he's mad," Gordon said. "I was mad when I got hit by him one time at Richmond. Hopefully, we'll get past it and move forward. He's not a guy that I really talk to a lot. He doesn't talk to me a lot, so I would imagine we'll see one another on the race track again."

Marlin qualified well, starting from the sixth position. He finished 35th.