Incredible as it seems, last night, Jeff Gordon celebrated his first-ever win at Phoenix International Raceway. The win was sweet in part, because it leaves only two tracks that Gordon has never won at in his Cup career: Texas and Homestead. The win, highlighted by a late duel with Tony Stewart, topped off a memorable weekend for Gordon.
First, he won the pole for the race. That pole earned him fourth place on the Most Poles list, tied with Darrell Waltrip. His win was the first for someone who also sat on the Pole at PIR.
The win tied Gordon for sixth place on the Nascar All-Time Win list with Dale Earnhardt. Which, in turn, means that next weekend, Gordon could surpass Earnhardt for sole ownership of sixth place on the All-Time Win list.
Gordon has never been popular with the majority of Earnhardt fans, but if he wins next week, it will be doubly insulting to diehard #3 fans.
It could happen on Earnhardt's birthday, April 29th. And at the site of his last win - Talladega.
I've never been a big fan of Gordon, but you have to admire a career that to date has spawned 59 poles, 76 wins, 4 championships, a lifetime contact with the owner, and a legion of diehard haters.
Gordon is always one to watch at Talladega. But next weekend, I think he'll have a few more people anxiously waiting to see if he can win it.
I, for one, think that Earnhardt would get a good chuckle out of the irony if Gordon wins.
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