News and Media Releases

Jeff Gordon Finishes Second In Kansas

04/10/2009

Mark Martin Extends Points Lead with Seven Races Remaining

Hendrick Motorsports had a strong showing once again in Sunday's running of the Price Chopper 400 presented by Kraft Foods at Kansas Speedway. Jeff Gordon was the highest finishing HMS car taking the checker flag in the runner-up position.  Mark Martin and Jimmie Johnson also finished in the top-10.

Gordon started the day in the ninth position and fought handling issues early in the event. However his No. 24 crew was able to make the proper adjustments and get him into the top-five where he raced through a good portion of the 267-lap race. Gordon had a strong Chevrolet in the closing laps as well but ran out of time to challenge for the lead and settled for the second position.

Mark Martin started the weekend off by earning his seventh pole position of the season. He led the first 11 laps of the race before falling back a few positions. However the veteran driver remained in the top-10 for the entire race and finished in the seventh position.

Fellow HMS driver Jimmie Johnson also fought some slight handling issues after starting in the 11th position but was able to take the lead several times. After leading 53 laps, the Quaker State driver crossed the start-finish line in the ninth position.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. was running in the top-10 and led for 41 laps before a pit road penalty put him a lap down. It was late in the event when Junior experienced a mechanical failure ending his day early. He was credited with the 36th finishing position.

Mark Martin extended his points lead over Jimmie Johnson as the pair remains first and second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings. Jeff Gordon moved up one position to the seventh spot with just seven races remaining. Despite his troubles, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. maintained his 22nd place position in the standings as well.

Flag-to-flag coverage of the Pepsi 500 at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California will take the green flag Sunday, October 11 beginning at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) on ABC.  The race will also be broadcast on the Motor Racing Network and Sirius Satellite Radio beginning at 3:15 p.m. (EDT).