JEFF GORDON WINS
THE VIRGINIA 500
Martinsville, VA: Jeff Gordon had not won a race since Kansas in September 2002. Today, he started on the pole and never dropped out of the top 10. Jeff did his share of beating and banging and had a near miss that would have taken him out of the lead had not a gracious Dale Earnhardt, Jr allowed him to pass at the caution flag on lap 295. Although the lead changed several times during the race, Jeff was never far back. He thread his way deftly through lapped traffic and even had to fight his way back to the front past Bobby Labonte, in the closing laps.
The #18 Interstate Batteries Chevrolet had another impressive day. Starting from 39th, at one time, it looked as though Bobby might get lapped by the very fast #24 DuPont Chevrolet. But a caution saved Bobby and he began making his trek towards the top 10 during a very long green flag run. Then, a caution on lap 438 left Bobby's Crew Chief, "Fatback" McSwain with a decision. Should he have Bobby take only 2 tires and improve his track position. Or, put on 4 tires and continue trying to fight his way to the front. The decision to take only 2 tires turned out to be the most brilliant call of the day. Bobby took the lead and the best part of the race began.
With 30 laps remaining Bobby held off a strong challenge by both Jeff Gordon and his own team mate, Tony Stewart. Up and down, forward and back, the threesome maneuvered for position as a fast approaching Dale Earnhardt, Jr vied for his chance to take over the lead. Finally, with 14 laps left, Jeff was able to get by Bobby and a late caution sealed the victory for him. Bobby finished 2nd.
Some great camera work by Fox allowed the viewers not only to watch the great battle for the lead, but the skirmish behind, between Jeff Burton, Elliott Sadler and Jimmie Johnson. They scraped, banged and traded paint to gain position. After getting by the #48 Lowes Chevrolet, the #99 Citgo Ford and #38 M&M's Ford set their sites on the #20 Home Depot Chevrolet.
Tony Stewart had been running great all day, but his final surge to take the lead away from Jeff Gordon and Bobby Labonte left the car with nothing more to give. Then, after Dale Earnhardt, Jr got past him, Tony desperately tried to block both the #99 and the #38. The resulting entanglement caused a damaged tire that forced Tony to limp around the track for the final 2 caution laps bringing him in at 6th place. Jeff Burton finished 4th behind the #8 Budweiser Chevrolet in 3rd. Elliott Sadler finished in 5th, his second top 5 finish in 2 weeks.
The remaining top 10 finishers included Sterling Marling in the #40 Coors Light Dodge (7th),
Rusty Wallace in the #2 Miller Lite Dodge (8th), Jimmie Johnson in the #48 Lowes Chevrolet and
Ken Schrader in the #49 1-800-Call ATT/BAM Racing Dodge. Ken's best finish since 2001.
Article by S. Kipple
4/13/03
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