Gordon times Talladega to perfection

Sunday, 7th October 2007

Hendrick driver takes points lead after leading the last half a lap to win UAW-Ford 500.

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First to go of the 12 Chasers was Jeff Burton, whose #31 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet blew an engine on lap 91, relegating him to 43rd and last in the final classification. Next to go was Martin Truex Jr, whose engine also cried enough on lap 113 leaving the driver of the #1 DEI Chevrolet 42nd overall.

Although not a championship contender Dale Earnhardt Jr was the next pre-race favourite to have engine problems in his #8 DEI Chevrolet, a blown motor ruining his chances of taking a win in Tony Eury Jr's last race with the #8 squad. Prior to his failure Earnhardt Jr had led more than 30 laps and his retirement continued a torrid day for drivers using the DEI/RCR engine package.

The typical Talladega ‘big one' came on lap 145 when Bobby Labonte, running fifth at the time, suddenly broke loose coming through turn four and spun. With more than 30 cars directly behind him their was bound to be chaos with Chase contender Kyle Busch the first to strike Labonte's spinning car before others, including Greg Biffle, Aric Almirola, Jamie McMurray, Paul Menard, David Reutimann, Robby Gordon, David Ragan, David Stremme, Chase contender Matt Kenseth, defending UAW-Ford 500 winner Brian Vickers and NASCAR debutant Jacques Villeneuve all piled in.

Half a dozen cars, including the #5 Hendrick Chevrolet of Busch, were out on the spot while Kenseth lost 15 laps making repairs and Hamlin a single lap while his car was fixed.

Despite the thinning of the field the crashing didn't stop there for as Tony Stewart took control at the head of the field Ken Schrader and Kyle Petty both crashed out in single car accidents within ten laps of the restart, the latter's crash giving Denny Hamlin the vital lucky dog pass back onto the lead lap.

The ninth and final caution period of the day came on lap 175 when Elliott Sadler lost a tyre and spun, collecting Michael Waltrip, Greg Biffle, Tony Raines and JJ Yeley, resulting in an eight lap dash to the chequered flag.