Jeff Gordon had 93 Cup Collection winsDenny Hamlin is as much as 59 and counting…
One factor about race automobile drivers, and it’s the identical theme throughout the board, is that they maintain onto the defeats far more than their triumphs as illustrated by the four-time Cup Collection champion on Sunday evening at Kansas Speedway.
“I can not bear in mind most of the ones I gained, however I can inform you all those I misplaced,” Gordon mentioned.
This was in response to a query within the post-race press convention after a Chase Elliott victory about how a lot Gordon can relate to Hamlin attempting to chase these marquee late-career numbers.
There was empathy even within the face of pleasure that it labored out of their favor this weekend.
“These selections hang-out you, mis-shifts and unhealthy decisions on restarts and no matter it could be, particularly if it was in your watch or in your fingers,” Gordon mentioned.
Elliott’s victory was the byproduct of assorted issues that occurred to Hamlin. The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 swept each levels and was pulling away late when his automobile misplaced energy steering. And but, Hamlin was nonetheless holding onto the lead with 14 laps left when a tire carcass slowed the race.
Hamlin misplaced 4 spots on pit street because of a mistake by a substitute jack man solely on his No. 11 automobile because of a penalty after the Bristol Evening Race that led to suspensions over a unfastened wheel.
Even after that, Bubba Wallace and Christopher Bell received to mixing it up on the restart and Elliott solely gained after Hamlin despatched it deep into the ultimate nook and left Elliott a lane to drive by everybody.
So whereas Gordon can relate, as a result of he’s been there, he additionally suspects from his personal expertise there will probably be extra probabilities for his vehicles at Hendrick Motorsports to must battle Hamlin for wins.
“I do not know what was going to occur there if Denny wrapped the underside as a substitute of sort of utilizing Bubba up however I nonetheless suppose Chase had a fantastic shot at it due to the brand new tires and the run he had going into (Flip) 3. “
Yeah, Denny’s having a fantastic 12 months. He signed a brand new contract. I do not suppose he is completed successful. However when you could have the chance — he is in all probability extra dissatisfied that the cautions got here out when he had the lead and wished to see it end out that means. However the way in which he is working proper now and the way in which that workforce is, I feel he’ll get some extra alternatives.”
