Gordon done with Daytona
Driver won’t miss restrictor-plate races
DAYTONA BEACH, FLA. Jeff Gordon’s final run at Daytona International Speedway was something he’ll never forget. Neither will anybody else involved.
Gordon, who will retire from full-time racing at the end of the season after 23 years in NASCAR Sprint Cup, finished sixth Monday morning in the Coke Zero 400, the last of his 46 races at the 2.5-mile trioval at Daytona.
But after crossing the finish line, a chain-reaction crash pushed Austin Dillon’s car into the back of Gordon’s car. Dillon’s car went airborne behind Gordon’s and slammed into the catchfence, wrecking the car and a portion of the fence and sending debris into the crowd. Dillon emerged with a bruised tailbone and bruised forearm, but five fans were treated for minor injuries.
“That is why we love our fans,” Gordon said. “They came here to see some crazy, wild stuff, and we are going to give it to them. … There is nobody letting out of the gas (on the last lap). Unfortunately, this is the result of it.”
The crash drew criticism of NASCAR’s restrictor-plate races held at Daytona and Talladega Superspeedway. The cars’ speeds are governed, forcing drivers to race close together in large packs, often leading to violent crashes.
“It is literally like a video game out there these days, except for it’s real life,” Gordon said. “I love Daytona. ... I can’t believe this is my final race here. But after going through that experience I’m glad I only have one more restrictorplate race left.”
Gordon, who won the Daytona 500 three times and the track’s second race — usually held on Fourth of July weekend — three times, received a warm welcome from the crowd during driver introductions before the race.
He started 23rd after qualifying was canceled because of inclement weather Saturday and the starting grid was lined up according to speeds from Friday’s first practice session.
“This is the best finish I’ve had here in a long time, so I’ll take it,” he said. “But I just hate to see it finish that way.”