Post by dalejrfan on Jun 5, 2005 15:22:42 GMT -5
DOVER, Del. -- Jeff Gordon is used to winning three races in row, but wrecking in three consecutive races is not something the four-time champion is accustomed to.
Gordon's latest disaster came Sunday in the MBNA RacePoints 400, when he got tapped by Tony Stewart, sending into Dover's unforgiving Turn 2 wall.
J. Gordon wrecksStewart spins Gordon, sending him into the wall
Gordon was also caught up in wrecks at Richmond and Charlotte, giving him a staggering five DNFs in the first 13 races this season. His car had heavy rear-end damage, forcing his third consecutive DNF for the first time since 1993.
It is the first time in Gordon's long Nextel Cup career that he has finished three consecutive races on the wrecker's hook.
The No. 24 Chevrolet didn't handle well from the get-go at Dover, and on Lap 41, Stewart got into Gordon's left-rear. Ricky Rudd was also collected as he slowed to avoid the spinning Gordon.
The incident was reminiscent of one at Watkins Glen in 2000, when Gordon and Stewart tangled on Lap 2 and then traded barbs in the garage after the race.
Gordon was in a similar mood at Dover, and he portrayed Stewart as being too impatient on a slick, hot day.
"He just ran out of patience. I just think it's a little uncalled for to start something that fast," said Gordon. "I probably would have let him go once we got out there."
Gordon vowed to remember the incident.
"All I can say that the next time Tony's holding me up, it won't be very long for him to be out of my way," he said.
Gordon's latest disaster came Sunday in the MBNA RacePoints 400, when he got tapped by Tony Stewart, sending into Dover's unforgiving Turn 2 wall.
J. Gordon wrecksStewart spins Gordon, sending him into the wall
Gordon was also caught up in wrecks at Richmond and Charlotte, giving him a staggering five DNFs in the first 13 races this season. His car had heavy rear-end damage, forcing his third consecutive DNF for the first time since 1993.
It is the first time in Gordon's long Nextel Cup career that he has finished three consecutive races on the wrecker's hook.
The No. 24 Chevrolet didn't handle well from the get-go at Dover, and on Lap 41, Stewart got into Gordon's left-rear. Ricky Rudd was also collected as he slowed to avoid the spinning Gordon.
The incident was reminiscent of one at Watkins Glen in 2000, when Gordon and Stewart tangled on Lap 2 and then traded barbs in the garage after the race.
Gordon was in a similar mood at Dover, and he portrayed Stewart as being too impatient on a slick, hot day.
"He just ran out of patience. I just think it's a little uncalled for to start something that fast," said Gordon. "I probably would have let him go once we got out there."
Gordon vowed to remember the incident.
"All I can say that the next time Tony's holding me up, it won't be very long for him to be out of my way," he said.