"You still have to be consistent," Gordon said. "Points can still get you through. Your goal is to either win the race or be the highest in points. I think that gets you through no matter what.
"I will say that it makes me feel a little bit better about finishing second today, that it was second to somebody that's not in the Chase. Had that been somebody in the Chase, it would have been hard to swallow."
Gordon would much rather spread the wealth around if he isn't able to collect a win in the final three races. As long as he's accruing better finishes than his title rivals.
Teammate Earnhardt giddily collected his first grandfather clock trophy for winning at Martinsville on Sunday, and Gordon seems amenable to more non-Chaser celebrations from here out. Any race not won by a title-eligible is an opportunity lost by the rest of the field and a benefit toward Gordon's winning a fifth championship by virtue of his impressive pile of points.
"The good news is that a Chase driver did not win the race today," he said. "Finishing second isn't as big of a deal today; it's actually really a good finish and good points day compared to if a Chase driver would have won."
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