Checkered Countdown: Top-Five Martinsville Finishes

No. 3 Gordon tries them all to get by Johnson but can’t make it (2007).

In 2007 we witnessed a close battle between teammates at Martinsville. After the final restart Johnson had the lead but Gordon behind him was faster on the long run. The driver of the #24 indeed closed the gap quickly and started working on the champion’s bumper. Since the leader was not leaving any openings for a pass, Gordon tried to move him. He first tried it with four to go with no success, then settled back preparing the attack on the last lap. We were all expecting it, and it indeed happened: in turn three Gordon bumped him wide and got to his inside. It was now a drag race to the line between the two. Johnson won it by 0.065 seconds, his 26th career victory.