After capturing the pole position at Watkins Glen, it looked as if Jeff Gordon would be a serious contender at the track for the first time since 2007. He led the opening 29 laps, and seemed to be running down race leader Marcos Ambrose just after the halfway point. However, a power issue forced Gordon to coast to the pit area on lap 51. He lost 4 laps in the process. It was just the third time in the last 24 races where Gordon failed to post a top-15 finish. Gordon started on the pole and led the opening laps before Cole Whitt’s crash brought out the caution on lap 9. He pulled away on the restart with Marcos Ambrose tracking him in 2nd place. The first round of green flag stops came on lap 29. Gordon returned to the race in 2nd behind Ambrose. At the halfway point, he ran more than 2 seconds behind Ambrose. However, Gordon slowed on the track on lap 51 and coasted to a stop on the track. He received a push from a safety vehicle to go to the garage area. He lost 4 laps while repairs were made.
Just as Gordon returned to the race, a hard crash involving Ryan Newman and Michael McDowell forced a red flag condition. The race was red-flagged for nearly 90 minutes while repairs to the track barrier were made. Gordon ran in 36th place after the restart and came to pit road with 22 laps to go for fuel and tires. A caution with 12 laps to go saw Gordon move up to 35th place, but he remained 4 laps down. A caution for Jimmie Johnson and Regan Smith’s crash after the restart with 9 laps to go slowed the field. Gordon took 34th due to Smith’s misfortune. With 4 laps to go, Denny Hamlin crashed into the barrels at pit entrance, which necessitated a clean-up period and a 20-minute red flag delay. Gordon posted a 34th place finish.
Turning point
Gordon lost power on the track on lap 51 and needed a push to the pit area. He lost 4 laps in the process.
JG’s comments
I was having so much fun out there leading and battling with Marcos Ambrose who I have so much respect for on these tracks. We got a little bit behind on the [first pit sequence]. Marcos came in a little before us. Between that — and I got held up a little on that lap — we were charging back getting to him. Then I came off the carousel and all the power went out. I flipped batteries and did everything that we do in that situation. It just never had any power. So, I’m not sure what caused it. We changed the battery and had power.”
source: Jeff Gordon Online
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