The multiple champion Jeff Gordon prevailed by 2º consecutive time, and 4º time in this year, the Daytona International Speedway in occasion of Pepsi 400, probably 2º race in sequence of importance behind Daytona 500, that was celebrated in February of this year.
The triumph of Gordon, and 2º put of his coequiper Jimmie Johnson, was an authentic effort of equipment to maintain to anxious Dale Earnhardt Jr behind them.
“How concerted effort of the equipment Hendrick Motorsports! ”, Gordon exclaimed. “We fought very hard to have to the 3 cars advanced”, said to the ex- champion considering 9º place of the other pilot of the equipment, Brian Vickers.
Meanwhile Johnson, who follows in the firm leadership of the contest, did not save praises for their companion. “He was very funny. Gordon was in its game and knows perfectly well like defending its position. My congratulations for and the all the equipment.”
Jeff Gordon was great the dominator of the day, after leading 61 of the 160 returns in the impressive superoval. In addition Gordon became 1º pilot, from year 1981, taking to Pepsi 400 from pole position.
For surprise of the spectators, Kurt Busch with Ford, was one of the pilots who tried to help Dale Earnhardt Jr so that this he beat the pilots of the Hendrick Motorsports.
Junior in 3º position and Busch in 4º, decided to put themselves in agreement in the last returns to break the leadership of Gordon, but it was not possible. The car of Busch was not sufficiently fast like for “pushing” the Montecar it of Junior.
“It would have enchanted to be able to help to Me Dale so that it secures the triumph”, Busch said. “But my car was not as strong as the one of, and it was not possible to surpass it.”
The attitude of Busch does not stop surprising, because Busch especially runs with a Ford, and Junior is one of the preferred pilots of the Chevrolet multinational. But the certain thing is that Busch feels a great respect by the Earnhardt last name and the effectiveness of Junior in this type of ovals.
“Dale has gained many races in this type of tracks, and going behind one it can learn many things”, culminated Busch.
With this triumph in Pepsi 400, Jeff Gordon happened to be the most winning pilot of the year with 4 victories. In addition 3º to 232 points of its companion promoted 1 position in the championship of pilots being placed Johnson.
The certain thing is that almost surely title 2004 will be into the hands of a Chevrolet car. 4 cars of the mark occupy the 4 better places of the championship, whereas the champion Matt Kenseth is located 5º with best Ford to 356 points of Johnson.
The Nextel series now will travel the next weekend until the Chicagoland Speedway, to dispute Tropicana 400.
