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Checker Auto Parts 500 Race Update: Getting down to crunch time in the desert. - Rubbin’ is Racin’ - Nascar racing


Checker Auto Parts 500 Race Update: Getting down to crunch time in the desert.

The drivers may have made their last pit stops, as we’re within the last 75 laps.

After pitting out of sequence once again and dropping a lap behind, Jeff Gordon pitted with the rest of the leaders. That move pushed him up to 8th, but he’s still trying to make up ground to Jimmie Johnson, who’s currently in 6th.

Gordon, Johnson, and everyone else is chasing Matt Kenseth. Tony Stewart, who hasn’t really been on the radar in the last few races after dropping out of championship contention, is in second, with Ryan Newman trying to catch him.

Gordon and Steve Letarte might be hoping for a little luck, but as is, he needs to drive as hard as he can and catch up to Johnson.

Johnson’s three-race win streak may come to an end today, but if he can finish ahead of Gordon, it might be as big as a fourth straight win would be.

It’s been a pretty good day for Johnson, who hasn’t had as much to worry about as Gordon, who’s been busy racing other drivers to keep his position as he has with making passes and closing the gap, which he needs to be doing.

At this point, Johnson has gained a dozen points on his teammate, which means that nothing would be decided in the least, but Gordon would have to finish a good several spots ahead in the final race in order to win the championship.

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Gordon just got some damage when making contact with Kevin Harvick, who passed him for ninth. The fender is rubbing against the tire, which might not necessarily hurt him. But, if it does, and it very well might, if it continues to wear the tire down, as was the case for Tony Stewart earlier in the Chase at Kansas, it could spell the end of his championship hopes.

We’re in the last 45 laps, and a caution just came out for debris, so we’ll see if Gordon will come in. If he does, he’s going to need a little luck to get back towards the front.

And, he is coming in, and his luck may have just come in, as some of the leaders, including Kenseth and Stewart, are coming in.

When you’re racing for a championship, you do need a couple of breaks to go your way, and that just may have been his. But, regardless of how much of a lucky break it was, he’s still got plenty of work to do, and Johnson’s still sitting in the driver’s seat.

Plenty of twists and turns left, and I’ll continue to be here with updates and more, down to the checkered flag.

One Response to “Checker Auto Parts 500 Race Update: Getting down to crunch time in the desert.”

  1. Professional Car Parts » Blog Archive » Checker Auto Parts 500 Race Update: Getting down to crunch time in … Says:

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