News and Media Releases

Jeff Gordon Finishes Fourth

11/02/2009

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Jimmie Johnson Lead Laps before Getting Involved in Accidents at Budweiser Shootout.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series kicked of the 2009 season with Saturday's running of the Budweiser Shootout.  It was the 31st annual running of the event that features select drivers competing for cash and pride.

The starting line-up for the 75-lap event was determined by drawing that took place on Thursday night.  Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drew the highest starting spot of all the Quaker State driver's with his ninth-place pick.  Three-time Sprint Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson rolled off in the 21st position with fellow Quaker State driver Jeff Gordon starting 28th.

Once the green flag waved for the start of the first segment, the HMS teammates settled in for what was sure to be an action packed night of racing.  All three drivers finished the first segment running in the top-10.  Johnson moved all the way up to the third spot with Gordon and Earnhardt close behind in eighth and tenth respectively.

After a ten-minute break to allow the teams time to make adjustments, the field rolled back on to the track for the second 50-lap segment.  Earnhardt led 23 laps over the course of the night before being involved in an accident on lap 64.  Fellow Quaker State drivers Gordon and Johnson also both took turns at the front of the pack. 

A late-race caution set up a green-white-checkered finish with Gordon restarting from the second position and Johnson taking the final green flag in the third position.  Johnson and another car wrecked on the final lap bringing out the caution flag.

Gordon took the checkered flag in the fourth position with Johnson finishing 14th.  Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was credited with the 18th-place finish after his accident.

Next up for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series are the Gatorade Duel 150 qualifying races on Thursday, February 12, 2009.  Live television coverage begins at 2 p.m. on SPEED.  Following the qualifying races is the season's first points race with the running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 15, 2009.   Live television coverage starts at 2 p.m. on FOX.