Jeff Gordon’s first win of 2015 was only one of the spectacular stories that happened at Martinsville Speedway Sunday. Gordon held off Jamie McMurray in the closing laps of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Goody’s 500 to score his first win of 2105, and ensure his spot in the final Chase race at Homestead. In a race that took much of the afternoon it was fitting that Gordon, in the twilight of his career, won as the sun was setting at NASCAR’s oldest active track.
“We’re going to Homestead!” an emotional Gordon yelled after he climbed from his car.
Gordon’s 93rd career win was possible only after an equally dramatic story unfolded late in the race. Joey Logano, who had won the previous three races leading up to Sunday and started from the pole, led a race high 207 laps and looked to be the car to beat, saw his race suddenly end on lap 453 of 500. Matt Kenseth who had crashed a few laps earlier, slowed and waited as leader Logano came by. Kenseth turned up and into Logano sending him hard into the outside wall. Kenseth’s car stopped in the middle of the turn while Logano’s car stopped at the bottom of the turn. The crowd roared as Kenseth climbed from his car.
The move smacked of retaliation after Kenseth and Logano had tangled at Kansas Speedway last month. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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