TALLADEGA, Ala. (September
30, 2008) - As defending
champions of the Amp Energy
500, six-time Talladega
Superspeedway winners and
record holders for the most
restrictor-plate victories
with 12, Jeff Gordon and
Team DuPont are energized
heading into this Sunday's
race at Talladega
Superspeedway.
But even with the success
Gordon has had at the
2.66-mile high-banked
superspeedway, he also has
been in his share of
multi-car accidents. And
although he feels confident
that he can challenge for
the win, does he have a plan
to avoid the "bigone?"
"Nope, I've given up trying
to figure that out," said
Gordon. "This race is one I
feel this DuPont team can
win but, at the same time,
I'm trying to figure out how
I can avoid the 'big one'.
These days, there is just so
little that you can do to
avoid being collected in it.
"We're racing three-wide
however many rows deep, and
you're just getting beat to
death bump drafting down the
straightaway. If you're in
the middle, it's just bam,
bam, bam, bam, and you're
just trying to hold the car
straight.
"You just hold on tight and
if you're in it, you're in
it.
Along with his six victories
at the track, Gordon has one
pole, 13 top-fives and 16
top-10's in 31 starts. He
has led 25 races for a total
of 802 laps - more than any
other active driver.
"Leading is probably the
best way to avoid the 'big
one,'" said Gordon. "But if
you get shuffled out of the
lead, you have to survey the
situation and make the best
decision at that time.
"If there are plenty of laps
left, do you try and stay in
the lead pack to draft back
up to the front? Or do you
clear yourself of the main
pack and just ride around
until the closing stages to
make your move? Last year in
this race, I hung back away
from the big pack for much
of the day and was still
able to win.
"While I hate that strategy,
it worked in that instance."
With seven races remaining
in the "Chase for the NASCAR
Sprint Cup," Gordon is sixth
in the standings --143
points out of the lead held
by his teammate Jimmie
Johnson. A strong finish
could bolster his
championship aspirations.
"A lot can happen
points-wise in this race,"
said Gordon. "Hopefully,
there are no big accidents,
and if there are, we are
able to avoid them.
"I feel this is a race we
can win. We just need to be
in a position at the end to
challenge for the victory."
Which could "Amp" up Team
DuPont's run at a fifth
title.
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