Earnhardt Junior: 'Gordon is a class act'
Greg Engle/Cup Scene Daily
When Jeff Gordon crossed the finish line Saturday night at Phoenix International Speedway, he put his name into the record books trying the late Dale Earnhardt senior for most career victories, 76, sixth on NASCAR's all time win list.
One of the first to congratulate Gordon on the feat was the son of the legend, Dale Earnhardt Junior who was greeting Gordon even before Gordon was able to get from his car.
"He's a class act - and I'm happy for him," Earnhardt said. "I ran over to Victory Lane to shake his hand and let him know. I know a lot of fans of my dad's aren't the biggest Jeff Gordon fans, but he and my dad were business partners on a lot of things and worked together a lot more than most people realize."
As for his night, a yellow flag proved to be Earnhardt Junior's undoing Saturday night.
He ran among the lead pack nearly the entire race after starting 15th, and was inside the top ten within the first seven laps. He ran as high as sixth and looked as though he were setting up to be around in contention at the end.
But five laps after a green flag pit stop on lap 278, the caution flew trapping the No. 8 Chevy at the rear of the lead lap pack.
Despite his best effort as the laps wound down, Earnhardt wasn't able to improve his position and finished 19th.
The bright spot for Earnhardt: for the fifth time in six races he was able to improve his point's position despite a bad finish. He is now 15th after eight races, 56 points out of 12th place.
"We made the decision to and try to gain some track position on the cars ahead of us by running on fresh tires, but when that last yellow flew, it really wiped out that strategy," Earnhardt said. "We didn't lose a lap, but we were on the tail end of the lead lap so all I could do for the last 15 laps or so was run as hard as I could and stay ahead of 'em."
Greg Engle/Cup Scene Daily
When Jeff Gordon crossed the finish line Saturday night at Phoenix International Speedway, he put his name into the record books trying the late Dale Earnhardt senior for most career victories, 76, sixth on NASCAR's all time win list.
One of the first to congratulate Gordon on the feat was the son of the legend, Dale Earnhardt Junior who was greeting Gordon even before Gordon was able to get from his car.
"He's a class act - and I'm happy for him," Earnhardt said. "I ran over to Victory Lane to shake his hand and let him know. I know a lot of fans of my dad's aren't the biggest Jeff Gordon fans, but he and my dad were business partners on a lot of things and worked together a lot more than most people realize."
As for his night, a yellow flag proved to be Earnhardt Junior's undoing Saturday night.
He ran among the lead pack nearly the entire race after starting 15th, and was inside the top ten within the first seven laps. He ran as high as sixth and looked as though he were setting up to be around in contention at the end.
But five laps after a green flag pit stop on lap 278, the caution flew trapping the No. 8 Chevy at the rear of the lead lap pack.
Despite his best effort as the laps wound down, Earnhardt wasn't able to improve his position and finished 19th.
The bright spot for Earnhardt: for the fifth time in six races he was able to improve his point's position despite a bad finish. He is now 15th after eight races, 56 points out of 12th place.
"We made the decision to and try to gain some track position on the cars ahead of us by running on fresh tires, but when that last yellow flew, it really wiped out that strategy," Earnhardt said. "We didn't lose a lap, but we were on the tail end of the lead lap so all I could do for the last 15 laps or so was run as hard as I could and stay ahead of 'em."
