Gordon Wins Final Race of “Challenger Round”
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Geoff Burke/Getty Images(DOVER, Del.) — Jeff Gordon led the final 71 laps of the AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway, cementing his spot in the next round of the NASCAR’s 10-race “Chase for the Sprint Cup”. It was Gordon’s fifth win at The Monster Mile, and his first since winning his last series crown in 2001.
“I think it makes a statement of what type of team we are,” Gordon said. “I think that it makes a statement that we’re a team to beat for this championship.”
Although he didn’t need the win to advance, Gordon joined Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano as winners through the first round of NASCAR’s new playoff format which eliminates four drivers after every third race. At the conclusion of the race at Dover, Kurt Busch, AJ Allmendinger, Greg Biffle, and Aric Amirola were knocked from championship contention.
Kevin Harvick led 223 laps but poor tire management left him with a 13th place finish. Keselowski took second while Jimmie Johnson, Logano and Matt Kenseth finished out the top five. The points will now reset for the “Contender Round” which features races at Kansas, Charlotte, and Talladega.
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