NASCAR Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Watkins Glen Finishes

No. 5 Jeff Gordon spins out while in the lead, Tony Stewart holds off Carl Edwards to win (2007).

With eight laps to go on the final restart Jeff Gordon was leading in front of Tony Stewart and Carl Edwards. Gordon could not pull away from Stewart who was not fast enough to get close enough to pass. The final results seemed to be already written since nobody could make a move until something happened with two laps to go: going downhill towards turn one Gordon suddenly lost control of the car while getting on the brakes, spinning out. Stewart inherited the lead but now he had Edwards all over his back bumper looking for an opportunity to pass. The two drivers kept running close to each other until Edwards, trying desperately to make a move on the leader on the last lap, made a big mistake in turn six going wide into the gravel pit. Stewart could win comfortably while Edwards finished eighth and Gordon ninth.