LOUDON, N.H. (July 9, 2012) – For Team DuPont, will this weekend’s LENOX Industrial Tools 301 provide a magical finish?
Last year, Jeff Gordon had to overcome obstacles during two strong performances at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. In July, the three-time track winner led 19 laps before electrical problems dropped him off the lead lap. He battled back and was running inside the top five on the penultimate lap before limping to an 11th-place finish after blowing a right-front tire as he approached the white flag.
In September, Gordon led a race-high 78 laps before a problem with the fuel “exchange” during his final stop forced him to conserve fuel in the run to the checkered flag. He finished fourth in that event.
“I feel like (crew chief) Alan (Gustafson) and our engineers do an excellent job on flat race tracks – especially tracks like Loudon,” said Gordon. “I can’t wait [for this weekend’s race].
“[New Hampshire Motor Speedway] is high on my list of tracks that I feel we can capitalize on.”
Along with his three wins and three poles in 34 starts at the 1.058-mile track, Gordon’s 15 top-fives, 19 top-10’s and 1,304 laps led are tops at “The Magic Mile.”
“I think Loudon is a great opportunity for us,” said Gordon. “We’ve been very competitive here recently, and I feel we can be competitive here again this weekend with hopefully a shot at winning.
“It’s a track that I really enjoy, but it’s not an easy one to get around because of the long straightaways, flat corners and hard braking. I think the variable banking has made it a little bit easier to run side-by-side and make passes, though.”
With eight races remaining before the 12-driver “Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup” field is set, it appears Gordon will need at least one win – if not more – to secure a berth in the 10-race playoff.
“We are not afraid of trying things with the setup or during the race,” said Gordon, who is 17th in the NASCAR Sprint Cup point standings. “We’re not afraid to take some risks. Each race that goes by without a win [means] the more risk we are willing to take.
“But I feel like we’re still a long way from being out of this thing.”
