NASCAR: Martinsville Was Exhausting For Jeff Gordon Fans

USA Today Sports

It Didn’t Take Long For Concern To Seep In

Despite the great beginning to the race, Gordon was not able to maintain the lead following the first round of pit stops. Although the reason for falling back had more to do with pit location as opposed to the actual stop, Gordon fans always hold their breath when he hits pit road.

The good news coming out of the first stop was that not penalties were given to the No. 24 team. The NASCAR on NBC crew harped on Gordon’s recent pit struggles in Martinsville and that surely had Gordon fans on their heels heading into that first stop. Following the stop and the subsequent restart, Gordon maintained his speed and consistency despite not getting back to the lead.

For the next portion of the race Gordon hung around the top-three, forcing fans to hold their breath each time that he hit pit road.

Gordon Emotion Meter: Smug – Although Gordon was pacing the field he was maintaining his spot between 2nd and 4th. Running up front assure fans he had a fast car and that being close to the front was all a part of his master plan when it came to saving tires and being there at the end to make a move. Gordon fans would have preferred him to be leading but they surely felt comfortable thinking that this was all part of a greater plan, NBC helped push this theory as well.

Next: Then Came The Bad Pit Stops