Gordon Weathers the Storm



Jeff Gordon has plenty to celebrate



Despite an up and down season thus far, Jeff Gordon and team were finally able to weather the storm and claim victory at Pocono.

Gordon, who prior to today’s race was on the outside looking in to make the Chase, needed to start take risks. Since he's not in the in the top 10 in points, a wildcard position is what his team is gunning for. How do you get a wildcard spot? You win races.  

There was close to a two hour rain delay at the  start of the race. Once the race got started everyone knew that they were racing the halfway when the race is official because more rain was in the area.

With rain looming in the mountains of Pocono, Pennsylvania, Gordon, like others hoped his team used the best strategy to get them in position for the win.

Jimmie Johnson undoubtedly had the fastest car. On the contrary the fastest car in a NASCAR race isn’t always the winner, we saw that at Pocono. When the radar showed weather was approaching quicker than most anticipated, teams knew that gambling with strategy could really pay off.

Gordon, whose only luck had been bad luck this season, chose not to gamble.  It was destiny that finally played to his team’s favor.

After a caution came out for Kurt Busch hitting the wall, many of the top cars decided to stay out rather than pit. During the restart, Johnson, the race leader appeared to overdrive turn one and make contact with the second place car Matt Kenseth. However, after the race 5 time champion Johnson let us know that he had a flat right rear tire that triggered the collision.

The contact caused the top 4 cars to bump and while they were checking up, Gordon, who restarted 6th zoomed past the cars involved and took the lead. A few seconds later a caution comes out for a wreck with Kenseth and Denny Hamlin.

As NASCAR crewman were cleaning up from the wreck, the rain began and it never let up.

 “I’ve never seen the seas part like that,” said Gordon after NASCAR officially called the race on lap 98 of 160.

“All the things that have gone wrong for us this year I’m hoping this is the one that’s the right call.”

The seas indeed parted when Gordon made that move. When the sun comes back out at Pocono it will be full of rainbow warriors who all have something to celebrate following today’s win.

Not only was it Gordon’s first win of the season, but it currently puts his in the second wildcard spot to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. For a team that’s seen a season full of highs and lows, finally the 24 team gets a reason to feel rejuvenated.

Oh, and they picked the perfect time to do it.There are 5 races left before the start of the Chase, all tracks where Gordon has multiple wins. 

Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and Tony Stewart comprised the rest of the top 5 in today’s race.

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