Jeff Gordon won today’s Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway for his 9th win on a road course (5th in Sonoma) and 74th Cup win overall. He’s now just two wins behind Dale Earnhardt in 7th on the all-time win list. Gordon led the most laps (44 of ’em) on his way to the 144th win for Hendrick Motorsports, and his first win since Martinsville last October was worth $325,661 from the over $5.4M in posted awards. Gordon is the 10th different winner this season….last year we had 15 different drivers in Victory Lane.
Ryan Newman (2nd) had his best finish since he won at Loudon last September.
Terry Labonte (3rd) had his best finish since he won at Darlington in September of 2003. His Top-5 gives us 23 drivers at that mark this season, last year we had 30 drivers with a Top-5.
Elliott Sadler (8th) had his best finish since he was 6th at Martinsville in April.
Boris Said (9th) had his best finish since he was 3rd at Watkins Glen last August (only three races). He and Terry Labonte’s Top-10’s gives us 33 drivers to score a Top-10 this season….last year we had 43 of ’em.
Michael Waltrip (23rd) had his best finish since he was 20th at Atlanta in March.
P. J. Jones (36th) had his best finish since he was 32nd when we were here last June (only four races).
Brandon Ash (38th) had his career-best finish today. His previous best was 41st when we were here in June of 2004.
STREAKIN….Biffle has 7 Top-10’s in a row. Johnson has 6 Top-10’s in a row. Burton has 5 Top-10’s in the last 6 races.
This Week’s Elevator….UP: Operator of the Week is Terry Labonte (+34), followed by Denny Hamlin (+28 ), Brian Vickers (+28 ), and Martin Truex Jr (+24). DOWN: The Big Dropper was Robby Gordon (-26), followed by Kasey Kahne (-25), Ken Schrader (-23), Kevin Harvick (-21), P. J. Jones (-21), and Ron Fellows (-20). This was Op #1 for Terry and BD #1 for Robby this season.
Boris Said led a lap today for the first time since he led one lap here in June of 2003. He’s the 42nd different driver to lead a lap this season…. last year we had 51 leaders.
Jimmie Johnson moved his points lead out to 101 markers today as Denny Hamlin fell below the “Stayin’ Alive” Line. Jeff Gordon replaces Hamlin in the Top-10. Gordon (11th to 8th) and Kyle Petty (33rd to 30th) gained the most spots today, while Dale Jarrett (19th to 23rd) fell the most spots.(Stock Car Fans)(6-25-2006)
