Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
#1
05-01-2005, 08:45 PM
Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499
(Nextel Cup Series)
Jeff Gordon led 139 laps and survived two multi-car accidents, including a 25 car pile up leaving Ryan Newman, Rusty Wallce and many other Dodges in the rubble. Jeff went on to win Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. It was his 72nd career win, leaving him four behind Dale Earnhardt for sixth place all-time.
The last 15 laps of the race were very exciting. As Jamie McMurray in the #42 Dodge crept up toward Gordan, in a race for number 1. McMurray decided to make a move by himself and fell short, dropping him to 4th place. As Tony Stewart stole the 2nd position.
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LAP BY LAP:
Checkered flag: Jeff Gordon has won his second consecutive Aaron's 499.
• Gordon now has 72 Cup wins, four fewer than Dale Earnhardt.
• He led 139 of 194 laps.
• Gordon now sits third in points, 151 behind leader and teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 193: White Flag. Tony Stewart making a run.
Lap 192: Green-white-checker under way with Jeff Gordon leading a slow restart.
Point standings after wreck:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-186)
• 3. Kurt Busch (-187)
• 4. Greg Biffle (-212)
• 5. Elliott Sadler (-234)
Lap 186: A smaller Big One happens. Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Travis Kvapil suffer damage. Johnson brushed the outside wall, hitting Harvick forcing Truex into Earnhardt Jr.
Get set for a green-white-checkered finish.
Lap 184: Jeff Gordon takes the lead back from Michael Waltrip as Jamie McMurray looks for a line. Tony Stewart to third.
Lap 183: Jeff Gordon looks like he's shot from a cannon. Back up to second.
Lap 182: Michael Waltrip takes the lead from Jeff Gordon on the inside. Kevin Harvick to second.
Lap 181: Michael Waltrip goes to second. Jamie McMurray hung out to dry.
Lap 180: Jumping to the bottom didn't work for Elliott Sadler. He's been shuffled back to 10th.
Lap 176: Dale Earnhardt Jr. brushes the wall. Second-place Jamie McMurray is trying to make a run for the lead.
Lap 174: Green flag flies with Jeff Gordon in front.
Lap 171: Caution is out for Hermie Sadler's engine failure.No free pass given. Sadler was the first car a lap down, but he caused the caution.
Lap 170: Green flag with Jeff Gordon leading. Hermie Sadler suffers an engine failure. Jeff Hammond estimates the damage of the Big Wreck at $8 million. Hope they all have insurance.
Lap 167: Pit stops begin: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes two tires. Kevin Harvick takes four tires. Jeff Gordon takes two. Gordon first off pit road, followed by Jimmie Johnson (2 tires) and Earnhardt Jr. Harvick came out 11th.
Dale Jarrett is penalized for speeding off of pit road for the second time today.
Bobby Labonte has stayed out to lead a lap to help him stay in the top 35 in points.
Lap 165: Caution comes out for debris, taking away the possiblity for green-flag pit stops. Hermie Sadler gets the free pass.
Lap 161: Eighteen cars are on the lead lap. Kevin Harvick's roller-coaster day continues -- he's battling Kevin Harvick for the lead.
Lap 151: Jeff Gordon has led 99 laps today -- a career best at Talladega.
Lap 141: Jeff Gordon gets by teammate Jimmie Johnson for the lead.
Lap 138: Green flag flies with Jimmie Johnson leading.
Lap 134: Race returns to yellow. Leaders to pit road. Kurt Busch stays out to lead a lap.
Lap 134: The red flag is out to clean up from the big wreck. Fifty-eight percent of the field is affected by the wreck.
Point standings after wreck:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-203)
• 3. Elliott Sadler (-236)
• 4. Kurt Busch (-252)
• 5. Greg Biffle (-257)
All drivers 6-10 in the standings before the race were involved in the wreck.
Mike Skinner's car was damaged in the wreck. Credit: Autostock
Big troubleThe Big One strikes as 25 cars are taken out
• Ten drivers were evaluated and released from the infield care center: Kasey Kahne, Joe Nemechek, Mike Wallace, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Rusty Wallace, Kyle Busch, Scott Wimmer, Carl Edwards, Mike Skinner and Brian Vickers.
Lap 132: The Big One strikes. Ryan Newman, Dave Blaney, Scott Riggs, Ricky Rudd, Kasey Kahne, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Mike Bliss, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Busch, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Jeff Green, Boris Said, Scott Wimmer, Brian Vickers, Matt Kenseth, Jason Leffler, Joe Nemechek, Mike Skinner, Casey Mears, Carl Edwards, Johnny Sauter and Kerry Earnhardt all suffer damage when Mike Wallace gets loose and makes contact with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. coming into 1 and 2.
Lap 126: Jeff Gordon regains the lead -- the 16th lead change of the day. Among the lead lap cars, only two of 37 spots didn't change.
Lap 122: Elliott Sadler and Jeff Gordon battle for the lead. Sadler leads at the stripe. Mark Martin shuffled back to fifth.
Lap 120: Green flag flies with Mark Martin out in front.
Lap 118: Greg Biffle pits, giving the lead to Mark Martin. Jeff Gordon hangs in second.
Lap 117: Leaders to pit road. All who stopped went for fuel only. Greg Biffle did not pit, and he leads. Jeff Burton's jackman, Josh Yost, is injured in an accident on pit road.
Lap 116: Caution is out for Kyle Petty, who's No. 45 Dodge has stalled on the track.
Lap 115: The Roushkateers may be getting ready to gang up on leader Elliott Sadler. Mark Martin is second with Kurt Busch third.
Lap 113: Kyle Petty, who returned to the track in a taped-up No. 45 Dodge just before the most recent pit stops, is off the pace.
Lap 111: Elliott Sadler edges past Kurt Busch for the lead at the stripe and the five bonus points. The intensity is picking up quickly.
Lap 109: Jeff Gordon is back out front, but he doesn't stay there long, as Kurt Busch leads a gang to the front.
Lap 108: Leader Scott Riggs gets loose. Kevin Harvick takes advantage and takes the lead.
Lap 108: Green flag flies with Scott Riggs leading. Bobby Hamilton Jr. stays on the lead lap despite earlier troubles.
Lap 107: Rusty Wallace is 32nd after being forced to pit road to fix a hole near where would be the right headlight.
Lap 106: Ken Schrader pits, giving the lead to Scott Riggs.
Lap 104: Joe Nemechek pits, giving the lead to Ken Schrader. Scott Riggs is second with Kevin Harvick third.
Lap 103: All leaders to pit road. Most, if not all teams elect for four-tire stops. Jeff Gordon has trouble on the right front and sits 10th. Joe Nemechek and Ken Schrader stay out and run 1-2.
Lap 102: Caution is out. Bobby Hamilton Jr. blew out the left-front tire, blowing the fender out. The caution is a break for Mike Bliss, who ran out of fuel at the entrance to pit road.
Lap 97: Greg Biffle goes a lap down, joining Dale Jarrett, Jeff Green, Kerry Earnhardt and Hermie Sadler as drivers one circuit behind.
Point standings after 96 laps:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Kurt Busch (-153)
• 3. Jeff Gordon (-161)
• 4. Elliott Sadler (-204)
• 5. Mark Martin (-226)
Lap 94: At the halfway point, Jeff Gordon leads with Kevin Harvick second.
Lap 92: Jeff Gordon passes Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the lead as Junior's No. 8 car goes back to fourth.
Lap 90: Dale Earnhardt Jr. passes Kevin Harvick for the lead. Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are on his tail with Jeff Gordon lurking in the weeds.
Lap 85: Kevin Harvick passes Ryan Newman for the lead.
Lap 84: Jeff Gordon leads at the start-finish, but Ryan Newman regains the lead quickly.
Lap 83: Dale Jarrett sits 39th after being penalized for speeding on pit road during his last pit stop.
Lap 82: Jeff Gordon has battled back to fourth place after coming out 26th after his four-tire pit stop.
Lap 79: Ryan Newman takes the lead with Dale Earnhardt Jr. back up to second.
Lap 76: Green-flag stops seem to have cycled through with Kevin Harvick leading. Despite his troubles, Jeff Gordon is in the rear of the lead pack.
Lap 74: Leader Jeff Gordon loses a right-front tire getting onto pit road. They now need a four-tire change. He comes out with teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 73: Matt Kenseth makes a two-tire stop. Kasey Kahne has a tough stop as fuel was slow getting into the car.
Lap 72: Leader Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Sterling Marlin, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and others head to pit road. Jeff Gordon leads again.
Lap 69: Kevin Harvick takes the lead thanks to a big shove from Rusty Wallace. Jeff Gordon is second.
Lap 63: Kevin Harvick is making another run. He's battled all the way back to fourth. Meanwhile, Rusty Wallace has battled past Matt Kenseth for second.
Point standings after 61 laps:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-203)
• 3. Kurt Busch (-230)
• 4. Greg Biffle (-257)
• 5. Elliott Sadler (-265)
Lap 60: Matt Kenseth is giving Jeff Gordon fits for the lead.
Lap 58: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has fallen all the way back to 35th.
Lap 55: Jeff Gordon has led all but five laps so far. His closest challengers now are Matt Kenseth in second, Scott Riggs in third, Jimmie Johnson fourth and Jamie McMurray.
Lap 51: The outside line appears to lose its luster, as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne fall back.
Lap 48: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the lead after a big push from Tony Stewart, but Gordon regains the lead before they get to the stripe.
Lap 47: Dale Earnhardt Jr. battles for second with Jimmie Johnson side-by-side.
Lap 44: Teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson battle for the lead as Tony Stewart breathes down their neck.
Lap 42: Green flag flies as Jeff Gordon regains the lead. Michael Waltrip is forced to restart in the back after his team rolled a tire on pit road.
Lap 39: Tony Stewart takes left-side tires only and wins the race off of pit road among cars that pitted. Greg Biffle, Kerry Earnhardt, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards and Jeff Burton elect to stay out and lead the race in that order.
Lap 37: Tony Stewart takes the lead as Jeff Green loses a tire and goes spinning through traffic and into the infield. Amazingly, no other cars are involved.
Lap 29: With less tape on the grill of his No. 29 Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick is charging through the field. He tells his crew he could get to the leaders, but he's concerned about cooking his engine too soon.
Lap 27: Tony Stewart battles for the lead on the outside. Gordon leads the lap by .003 seconds.
Lap 24: Green flag flies with Jeff Gordon in front.
Lap 23: Ricky Rudd is sent to the tail end of the longest line for pitting too soon.
Lap 23: Dale Jarrett changes helmets on pit road because he could not hear his spotter. He falls back to 42nd.
Lap 22: Leaders to pit road as race leader Jeff Gordon takes just two tires and wins the race off pit road. Mike Wallace stays out and takes the lead.
Lap 21: The day's first caution flag comes out for Kyle Petty's cut tire and ensuing contact with the wall. Drivers are about halfway through their fuel run.
Lap 20: As the points stand right now, only 11 drivers are within 400 points of series leader Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 19: Scott Riggs continues to hold strong in second place. Meanwhile, Ricky Rudd is pulling to the back of the pack.
Lap 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has moved from 36th at the green flag up to 18th.
Lap 11: Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick drops to 43rd and tells his crew he needs to be by himself to get some air. He said when he gets in a pack, it gets too hot. Teammate Dave Blaney says the same.
Lap 9: Brian Vickers has moved up from 37th at the green flag to ninth.
Lap 6: Matt Kenseth has gone from 23rd to 10th. Meanwhile, Carl Edwards has gone from 21st to 43rd.
Lap 1: Jeff Gordon takes the first-lap lead in his 25th Talladega race. He has led 20.
1:29 p.m.: Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick leads the field to the green flag on a Chamber-of-Commerce day at Talladega Superspeedway.
1:13 p.m.: Adam Sandler gives the command to start engines.
1:09 p.m.: FOX announces that Jamie McMurray has defeated Kurt Busch in NASCAR's Sexist Driver competition.
1:07 p.m.: Deirdre Downs, Miss America 2005, sings the national anthem.
12:52 p.m.: The Hollywood Hotel is back up and running.
12:50 p.m.: Darrell Waltrip uses the word "coopatition" for the second time in 20 minutes.
12:45 p.m. ET: Mike Joy tells viewers that the Hollywood Hotel is "closed for renovations."
Drivers' meeting: Nextel Cup race director David Hoots asks drivers to limit use of the bump draft to the back straightaway. Drivers were also reminded that if they go under the yellow line to advance their position, NASCAR will black-flag them.
(Nextel Cup Series)
Jeff Gordon led 139 laps and survived two multi-car accidents, including a 25 car pile up leaving Ryan Newman, Rusty Wallce and many other Dodges in the rubble. Jeff went on to win Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. It was his 72nd career win, leaving him four behind Dale Earnhardt for sixth place all-time.
The last 15 laps of the race were very exciting. As Jamie McMurray in the #42 Dodge crept up toward Gordan, in a race for number 1. McMurray decided to make a move by himself and fell short, dropping him to 4th place. As Tony Stewart stole the 2nd position.
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LAP BY LAP:
Checkered flag: Jeff Gordon has won his second consecutive Aaron's 499.
• Gordon now has 72 Cup wins, four fewer than Dale Earnhardt.
• He led 139 of 194 laps.
• Gordon now sits third in points, 151 behind leader and teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 193: White Flag. Tony Stewart making a run.
Lap 192: Green-white-checker under way with Jeff Gordon leading a slow restart.
Point standings after wreck:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-186)
• 3. Kurt Busch (-187)
• 4. Greg Biffle (-212)
• 5. Elliott Sadler (-234)
Lap 186: A smaller Big One happens. Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Martin Truex Jr., Greg Biffle, Kevin Harvick and Travis Kvapil suffer damage. Johnson brushed the outside wall, hitting Harvick forcing Truex into Earnhardt Jr.
Get set for a green-white-checkered finish.
Lap 184: Jeff Gordon takes the lead back from Michael Waltrip as Jamie McMurray looks for a line. Tony Stewart to third.
Lap 183: Jeff Gordon looks like he's shot from a cannon. Back up to second.
Lap 182: Michael Waltrip takes the lead from Jeff Gordon on the inside. Kevin Harvick to second.
Lap 181: Michael Waltrip goes to second. Jamie McMurray hung out to dry.
Lap 180: Jumping to the bottom didn't work for Elliott Sadler. He's been shuffled back to 10th.
Lap 176: Dale Earnhardt Jr. brushes the wall. Second-place Jamie McMurray is trying to make a run for the lead.
Lap 174: Green flag flies with Jeff Gordon in front.
Lap 171: Caution is out for Hermie Sadler's engine failure.No free pass given. Sadler was the first car a lap down, but he caused the caution.
Lap 170: Green flag with Jeff Gordon leading. Hermie Sadler suffers an engine failure. Jeff Hammond estimates the damage of the Big Wreck at $8 million. Hope they all have insurance.
Lap 167: Pit stops begin: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes two tires. Kevin Harvick takes four tires. Jeff Gordon takes two. Gordon first off pit road, followed by Jimmie Johnson (2 tires) and Earnhardt Jr. Harvick came out 11th.
Dale Jarrett is penalized for speeding off of pit road for the second time today.
Bobby Labonte has stayed out to lead a lap to help him stay in the top 35 in points.
Lap 165: Caution comes out for debris, taking away the possiblity for green-flag pit stops. Hermie Sadler gets the free pass.
Lap 161: Eighteen cars are on the lead lap. Kevin Harvick's roller-coaster day continues -- he's battling Kevin Harvick for the lead.
Lap 151: Jeff Gordon has led 99 laps today -- a career best at Talladega.
Lap 141: Jeff Gordon gets by teammate Jimmie Johnson for the lead.
Lap 138: Green flag flies with Jimmie Johnson leading.
Lap 134: Race returns to yellow. Leaders to pit road. Kurt Busch stays out to lead a lap.
Lap 134: The red flag is out to clean up from the big wreck. Fifty-eight percent of the field is affected by the wreck.
Point standings after wreck:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-203)
• 3. Elliott Sadler (-236)
• 4. Kurt Busch (-252)
• 5. Greg Biffle (-257)
All drivers 6-10 in the standings before the race were involved in the wreck.
Mike Skinner's car was damaged in the wreck. Credit: Autostock
Big troubleThe Big One strikes as 25 cars are taken out
• Ten drivers were evaluated and released from the infield care center: Kasey Kahne, Joe Nemechek, Mike Wallace, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Rusty Wallace, Kyle Busch, Scott Wimmer, Carl Edwards, Mike Skinner and Brian Vickers.
Lap 132: The Big One strikes. Ryan Newman, Dave Blaney, Scott Riggs, Ricky Rudd, Kasey Kahne, Rusty Wallace, Mark Martin, Mike Bliss, Sterling Marlin, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Busch, Bobby Hamilton Jr., Jeff Green, Boris Said, Scott Wimmer, Brian Vickers, Matt Kenseth, Jason Leffler, Joe Nemechek, Mike Skinner, Casey Mears, Carl Edwards, Johnny Sauter and Kerry Earnhardt all suffer damage when Mike Wallace gets loose and makes contact with Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. coming into 1 and 2.
Lap 126: Jeff Gordon regains the lead -- the 16th lead change of the day. Among the lead lap cars, only two of 37 spots didn't change.
Lap 122: Elliott Sadler and Jeff Gordon battle for the lead. Sadler leads at the stripe. Mark Martin shuffled back to fifth.
Lap 120: Green flag flies with Mark Martin out in front.
Lap 118: Greg Biffle pits, giving the lead to Mark Martin. Jeff Gordon hangs in second.
Lap 117: Leaders to pit road. All who stopped went for fuel only. Greg Biffle did not pit, and he leads. Jeff Burton's jackman, Josh Yost, is injured in an accident on pit road.
Lap 116: Caution is out for Kyle Petty, who's No. 45 Dodge has stalled on the track.
Lap 115: The Roushkateers may be getting ready to gang up on leader Elliott Sadler. Mark Martin is second with Kurt Busch third.
Lap 113: Kyle Petty, who returned to the track in a taped-up No. 45 Dodge just before the most recent pit stops, is off the pace.
Lap 111: Elliott Sadler edges past Kurt Busch for the lead at the stripe and the five bonus points. The intensity is picking up quickly.
Lap 109: Jeff Gordon is back out front, but he doesn't stay there long, as Kurt Busch leads a gang to the front.
Lap 108: Leader Scott Riggs gets loose. Kevin Harvick takes advantage and takes the lead.
Lap 108: Green flag flies with Scott Riggs leading. Bobby Hamilton Jr. stays on the lead lap despite earlier troubles.
Lap 107: Rusty Wallace is 32nd after being forced to pit road to fix a hole near where would be the right headlight.
Lap 106: Ken Schrader pits, giving the lead to Scott Riggs.
Lap 104: Joe Nemechek pits, giving the lead to Ken Schrader. Scott Riggs is second with Kevin Harvick third.
Lap 103: All leaders to pit road. Most, if not all teams elect for four-tire stops. Jeff Gordon has trouble on the right front and sits 10th. Joe Nemechek and Ken Schrader stay out and run 1-2.
Lap 102: Caution is out. Bobby Hamilton Jr. blew out the left-front tire, blowing the fender out. The caution is a break for Mike Bliss, who ran out of fuel at the entrance to pit road.
Lap 97: Greg Biffle goes a lap down, joining Dale Jarrett, Jeff Green, Kerry Earnhardt and Hermie Sadler as drivers one circuit behind.
Point standings after 96 laps:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Kurt Busch (-153)
• 3. Jeff Gordon (-161)
• 4. Elliott Sadler (-204)
• 5. Mark Martin (-226)
Lap 94: At the halfway point, Jeff Gordon leads with Kevin Harvick second.
Lap 92: Jeff Gordon passes Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the lead as Junior's No. 8 car goes back to fourth.
Lap 90: Dale Earnhardt Jr. passes Kevin Harvick for the lead. Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch are on his tail with Jeff Gordon lurking in the weeds.
Lap 85: Kevin Harvick passes Ryan Newman for the lead.
Lap 84: Jeff Gordon leads at the start-finish, but Ryan Newman regains the lead quickly.
Lap 83: Dale Jarrett sits 39th after being penalized for speeding on pit road during his last pit stop.
Lap 82: Jeff Gordon has battled back to fourth place after coming out 26th after his four-tire pit stop.
Lap 79: Ryan Newman takes the lead with Dale Earnhardt Jr. back up to second.
Lap 76: Green-flag stops seem to have cycled through with Kevin Harvick leading. Despite his troubles, Jeff Gordon is in the rear of the lead pack.
Lap 74: Leader Jeff Gordon loses a right-front tire getting onto pit road. They now need a four-tire change. He comes out with teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 73: Matt Kenseth makes a two-tire stop. Kasey Kahne has a tough stop as fuel was slow getting into the car.
Lap 72: Leader Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Sterling Marlin, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Ryan Newman and others head to pit road. Jeff Gordon leads again.
Lap 69: Kevin Harvick takes the lead thanks to a big shove from Rusty Wallace. Jeff Gordon is second.
Lap 63: Kevin Harvick is making another run. He's battled all the way back to fourth. Meanwhile, Rusty Wallace has battled past Matt Kenseth for second.
Point standings after 61 laps:
• 1. Jimmie Johnson
• 2. Jeff Gordon (-203)
• 3. Kurt Busch (-230)
• 4. Greg Biffle (-257)
• 5. Elliott Sadler (-265)
Lap 60: Matt Kenseth is giving Jeff Gordon fits for the lead.
Lap 58: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has fallen all the way back to 35th.
Lap 55: Jeff Gordon has led all but five laps so far. His closest challengers now are Matt Kenseth in second, Scott Riggs in third, Jimmie Johnson fourth and Jamie McMurray.
Lap 51: The outside line appears to lose its luster, as Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne fall back.
Lap 48: Dale Earnhardt Jr. takes the lead after a big push from Tony Stewart, but Gordon regains the lead before they get to the stripe.
Lap 47: Dale Earnhardt Jr. battles for second with Jimmie Johnson side-by-side.
Lap 44: Teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson battle for the lead as Tony Stewart breathes down their neck.
Lap 42: Green flag flies as Jeff Gordon regains the lead. Michael Waltrip is forced to restart in the back after his team rolled a tire on pit road.
Lap 39: Tony Stewart takes left-side tires only and wins the race off of pit road among cars that pitted. Greg Biffle, Kerry Earnhardt, Ken Schrader, Carl Edwards and Jeff Burton elect to stay out and lead the race in that order.
Lap 37: Tony Stewart takes the lead as Jeff Green loses a tire and goes spinning through traffic and into the infield. Amazingly, no other cars are involved.
Lap 29: With less tape on the grill of his No. 29 Chevrolet, Kevin Harvick is charging through the field. He tells his crew he could get to the leaders, but he's concerned about cooking his engine too soon.
Lap 27: Tony Stewart battles for the lead on the outside. Gordon leads the lap by .003 seconds.
Lap 24: Green flag flies with Jeff Gordon in front.
Lap 23: Ricky Rudd is sent to the tail end of the longest line for pitting too soon.
Lap 23: Dale Jarrett changes helmets on pit road because he could not hear his spotter. He falls back to 42nd.
Lap 22: Leaders to pit road as race leader Jeff Gordon takes just two tires and wins the race off pit road. Mike Wallace stays out and takes the lead.
Lap 21: The day's first caution flag comes out for Kyle Petty's cut tire and ensuing contact with the wall. Drivers are about halfway through their fuel run.
Lap 20: As the points stand right now, only 11 drivers are within 400 points of series leader Jimmie Johnson.
Lap 19: Scott Riggs continues to hold strong in second place. Meanwhile, Ricky Rudd is pulling to the back of the pack.
Lap 13: Dale Earnhardt Jr. has moved from 36th at the green flag up to 18th.
Lap 11: Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick drops to 43rd and tells his crew he needs to be by himself to get some air. He said when he gets in a pack, it gets too hot. Teammate Dave Blaney says the same.
Lap 9: Brian Vickers has moved up from 37th at the green flag to ninth.
Lap 6: Matt Kenseth has gone from 23rd to 10th. Meanwhile, Carl Edwards has gone from 21st to 43rd.
Lap 1: Jeff Gordon takes the first-lap lead in his 25th Talladega race. He has led 20.
1:29 p.m.: Pole-sitter Kevin Harvick leads the field to the green flag on a Chamber-of-Commerce day at Talladega Superspeedway.
1:13 p.m.: Adam Sandler gives the command to start engines.
1:09 p.m.: FOX announces that Jamie McMurray has defeated Kurt Busch in NASCAR's Sexist Driver competition.
1:07 p.m.: Deirdre Downs, Miss America 2005, sings the national anthem.
12:52 p.m.: The Hollywood Hotel is back up and running.
12:50 p.m.: Darrell Waltrip uses the word "coopatition" for the second time in 20 minutes.
12:45 p.m. ET: Mike Joy tells viewers that the Hollywood Hotel is "closed for renovations."
Drivers' meeting: Nextel Cup race director David Hoots asks drivers to limit use of the bump draft to the back straightaway. Drivers were also reminded that if they go under the yellow line to advance their position, NASCAR will black-flag them.
#2
05-01-2005, 09:07 PM
RE: Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
Aaron's 499 at Talladega
May 1st, 2005
Race Results
Fin St Car Driver Make Sponsor Pts/Bonus Laps Status
1 2 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 190/10 194 Running
2 11 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 175/5 194 Running
3 38 #15 Michael Waltrip Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts 170/5 194 Running
4 22 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 160/0 194 Running
5 13 #42 Jamie McMurray Dodge Texaco/Havoline 155/0 194 Running
6 3 #38 Elliott Sadler Ford M&M's 155/5 194 Running
7 10 #97 Kurt Busch Ford IRWIN Industrial Tools/Sharpie 151/5 194 Running
8 42 #49 Ken Schrader Dodge Schwan's Home Service 147/5 194 Running
9 14 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 138/0 194 Running
10 27 #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 134/0 194 Running
11 23 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford DeWalt Power Tools 130/0 194 Running
12 1 #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet GM Goodwrench 132/5 194 Running
13 29 #16 Greg Biffle Ford National Guard/Charter Communications 129/5 194 Running
14 26 #41 Casey Mears Dodge Target 121/0 193 Running
15 36 #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 123/5 193 Running
16 43 #09 Johnny Sauter Dodge Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts 115/0 192 Running
17 31 #33 Kerry Earnhardt Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops 112/0 190 Running
18 9 #77 Travis Kvapil * Dodge Kodak/Jasper Engines 109/0 188 Running
19 8 #07 Dave Blaney Chevrolet Jack Daniel's 106/0 187 Running
20 6 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 108/5 186 Out of Race
21 32 #1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops 100/0 186 Out of Race
22 20 #2 Rusty Wallace Dodge Miller Lite 97/0 180 Running
23 15 #18 Bobby Labonte Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 99/5 174 Out of Race
24 19 #9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 91/0 172 Running
25 39 #43 Jeff Green Dodge Cheerios/Betty Crocker 88/0 172 Running
26 18 #11 Jason Leffler Chevrolet FedEx Express 85/0 171 Running
27 4 #10 Scott Riggs Chevrolet Valvoline 87/5 171 Running
28 33 #4 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Lucas Oil Products 84/5 171 Running
29 30 #66 Hermie Sadler Ford Peak Fitness 76/0 170 Out of Race
30 7 #21 Ricky Rudd Ford Motorcraft Genuine Parts 73/0 170 Running
31 24 #01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet U.S. Army 75/5 169 Running
32 21 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Scotts/Ortho 67/0 166 Running
33 16 #6 Mark Martin Ford Viagra 69/5 166 Running
34 25 #40 Sterling Marlin Dodge Coors Light 61/0 162 Running
35 12 #136 Boris Said Chevrolet CENTRIX Financial 58/0 146 Out of Race
36 28 #0 Mike Bliss Chevrolet NetZero Best Buy 55/0 141 Running
37 17 #22 Scott Wimmer Dodge Caterpillar 52/0 140 Running
38 37 #25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet GMAC/ditech.com 49/0 139 Running
39 5 #12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 51/5 135 Out of Race
40 40 #32 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Chevrolet Tide 43/0 132 Out of Race
41 35 #5 Kyle Busch * Chevrolet Kellogg's 40/0 132 Out of Race
42 34 #23 Mike Skinner Dodge Bad Boy Mowers 37/0 132 Out of Race
43 41 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Georgia-Pacific/Brawny 34/0 106 Running
* Denotes Rookie
This one is for Chud!
May 1st, 2005
Race Results
Fin St Car Driver Make Sponsor Pts/Bonus Laps Status
1 2 #24 Jeff Gordon Chevrolet DuPont 190/10 194 Running
2 11 #20 Tony Stewart Chevrolet The Home Depot 175/5 194 Running
3 38 #15 Michael Waltrip Chevrolet NAPA Auto Parts 170/5 194 Running
4 22 #19 Jeremy Mayfield Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 160/0 194 Running
5 13 #42 Jamie McMurray Dodge Texaco/Havoline 155/0 194 Running
6 3 #38 Elliott Sadler Ford M&M's 155/5 194 Running
7 10 #97 Kurt Busch Ford IRWIN Industrial Tools/Sharpie 151/5 194 Running
8 42 #49 Ken Schrader Dodge Schwan's Home Service 147/5 194 Running
9 14 #88 Dale Jarrett Ford UPS 138/0 194 Running
10 27 #31 Jeff Burton Chevrolet Cingular Wireless 134/0 194 Running
11 23 #17 Matt Kenseth Ford DeWalt Power Tools 130/0 194 Running
12 1 #29 Kevin Harvick Chevrolet GM Goodwrench 132/5 194 Running
13 29 #16 Greg Biffle Ford National Guard/Charter Communications 129/5 194 Running
14 26 #41 Casey Mears Dodge Target 121/0 193 Running
15 36 #8 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Budweiser 123/5 193 Running
16 43 #09 Johnny Sauter Dodge Miccosukee Gaming & Resorts 115/0 192 Running
17 31 #33 Kerry Earnhardt Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops 112/0 190 Running
18 9 #77 Travis Kvapil * Dodge Kodak/Jasper Engines 109/0 188 Running
19 8 #07 Dave Blaney Chevrolet Jack Daniel's 106/0 187 Running
20 6 #48 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet Lowe's 108/5 186 Out of Race
21 32 #1 Martin Truex Jr. Chevrolet Bass Pro Shops 100/0 186 Out of Race
22 20 #2 Rusty Wallace Dodge Miller Lite 97/0 180 Running
23 15 #18 Bobby Labonte Chevrolet Interstate Batteries 99/5 174 Out of Race
24 19 #9 Kasey Kahne Dodge Dodge Dealers/UAW 91/0 172 Running
25 39 #43 Jeff Green Dodge Cheerios/Betty Crocker 88/0 172 Running
26 18 #11 Jason Leffler Chevrolet FedEx Express 85/0 171 Running
27 4 #10 Scott Riggs Chevrolet Valvoline 87/5 171 Running
28 33 #4 Mike Wallace Chevrolet Lucas Oil Products 84/5 171 Running
29 30 #66 Hermie Sadler Ford Peak Fitness 76/0 170 Out of Race
30 7 #21 Ricky Rudd Ford Motorcraft Genuine Parts 73/0 170 Running
31 24 #01 Joe Nemechek Chevrolet U.S. Army 75/5 169 Running
32 21 #99 Carl Edwards Ford Scotts/Ortho 67/0 166 Running
33 16 #6 Mark Martin Ford Viagra 69/5 166 Running
34 25 #40 Sterling Marlin Dodge Coors Light 61/0 162 Running
35 12 #136 Boris Said Chevrolet CENTRIX Financial 58/0 146 Out of Race
36 28 #0 Mike Bliss Chevrolet NetZero Best Buy 55/0 141 Running
37 17 #22 Scott Wimmer Dodge Caterpillar 52/0 140 Running
38 37 #25 Brian Vickers Chevrolet GMAC/ditech.com 49/0 139 Running
39 5 #12 Ryan Newman Dodge ALLTEL 51/5 135 Out of Race
40 40 #32 Bobby Hamilton Jr. Chevrolet Tide 43/0 132 Out of Race
41 35 #5 Kyle Busch * Chevrolet Kellogg's 40/0 132 Out of Race
42 34 #23 Mike Skinner Dodge Bad Boy Mowers 37/0 132 Out of Race
43 41 #45 Kyle Petty Dodge Georgia-Pacific/Brawny 34/0 106 Running
* Denotes Rookie
This one is for Chud!
#3
05-01-2005, 09:13 PM
RE: Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
The Big One strikes again at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- A 25-car accident on Lap 132 of the Aaron's 499 brought out a 43-minute red flag and raised the ire of drivers who had hoped to make it through Talladega unscathed.
Mike Skinner's car is now little more than twisted metal. Credit: Autostock
Big troubleThe Big One strikes as 25 cars are taken out
The incident happened heading into Turn 1. Mike Wallace, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. got together, setting off a chain-reaction accident that involved over half the field.
The incident sent 10 drivers to the infield medical center, but all were treated and released.
Most drivers were in the garage trying to get back out onto the track to get points, including Scott Riggs, who had spent 93 laps in the top 10.
"That's superspeedway racing," Riggs said. "I'm not really sure what happened there. We were on the outside of the 4 (Mike Wallace) and I don't know-something happened.
For a time, it appeared that the 188-lap race would finish without a multi-car accident, as the race had featured just four brief caution flags.
"It was definitely a good race going on," said Kyle Busch, who was eliminated by the accident. "I kind of hung back."
Busch thought that Johnson drifted too high the track, but like most drivers, he had to watch the wreck via a TV replay. No one could see through the smoke generated by the spinning cars.
"It looked like the 48 (Johnson) squeezed the 4 (Mike Wallace) up into towards the fence," Busch said. "The 8 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) was behind him, nowhere to go."
"All I saw was smoke. All of a sudden I saw smoke pouring up front," said Rusty Wallace. "Just got collected. I couldn't see what happened at all."
Wallace owns a Busch Series car that was involved in a 17-car accident on Saturday, and he says he was trying to avoid meeting the same fate.
"Watching the race yesterday, I was being extra careful not to screw up," Wallace said.
TALLADEGA, Ala. -- A 25-car accident on Lap 132 of the Aaron's 499 brought out a 43-minute red flag and raised the ire of drivers who had hoped to make it through Talladega unscathed.
Mike Skinner's car is now little more than twisted metal. Credit: Autostock
Big troubleThe Big One strikes as 25 cars are taken out
The incident happened heading into Turn 1. Mike Wallace, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. got together, setting off a chain-reaction accident that involved over half the field.
The incident sent 10 drivers to the infield medical center, but all were treated and released.
Most drivers were in the garage trying to get back out onto the track to get points, including Scott Riggs, who had spent 93 laps in the top 10.
"That's superspeedway racing," Riggs said. "I'm not really sure what happened there. We were on the outside of the 4 (Mike Wallace) and I don't know-something happened.
For a time, it appeared that the 188-lap race would finish without a multi-car accident, as the race had featured just four brief caution flags.
"It was definitely a good race going on," said Kyle Busch, who was eliminated by the accident. "I kind of hung back."
Busch thought that Johnson drifted too high the track, but like most drivers, he had to watch the wreck via a TV replay. No one could see through the smoke generated by the spinning cars.
"It looked like the 48 (Johnson) squeezed the 4 (Mike Wallace) up into towards the fence," Busch said. "The 8 (Dale Earnhardt Jr.) was behind him, nowhere to go."
"All I saw was smoke. All of a sudden I saw smoke pouring up front," said Rusty Wallace. "Just got collected. I couldn't see what happened at all."
Wallace owns a Busch Series car that was involved in a 17-car accident on Saturday, and he says he was trying to avoid meeting the same fate.
"Watching the race yesterday, I was being extra careful not to screw up," Wallace said.
#5
05-02-2005, 01:45 AM
#7
05-02-2005, 11:20 AM
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#8
05-02-2005, 06:22 PM
RE: Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
He finished 39th because of a wreck that Jr. caused. I bet you told Jr. to do this huh? lmao
It's not like he actually tried racing and he came in 39th. Your boy left him in a big crash.
lol Jr. can't finish up front without knocking 20 cars our of the race! lol
It's not like he actually tried racing and he came in 39th. Your boy left him in a big crash.
lol Jr. can't finish up front without knocking 20 cars our of the race! lol
#9
05-02-2005, 07:46 PM
RE: Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
exactly...maybe if Jr could wreck guys in qualifying he wouldnt have started 36th...then he couldnt get past a few guys, so he wrecked 25 of them to get them out of the way. he should have been black flagged for that....any of the dodge drivers would have been..but god forbid NASCAR says anything to him or phony stewart...its only a matter or time before someone else gets hurt again..hopefully not badly..but i must say, Jr did his best to try and hurt some guys yesterday.
#10
05-03-2005, 01:03 AM
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RE: Jeff Gordan wins Aaron's 499 (Nextel Cup Series)
I don't understand why everyone is saying he caused it. It was him bump drafting then a chain of things happened and only ONE car wrecked in front of him watch the replays lol. Proves he can race getting all the way up there from 36th . If Newman knew how to avoid it like Stewart he'd have no problem huh
. If Newman knew how to avoid it like Stewart he'd have no problem huh