By Liz Clarke
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, October 15, 2007

CONCORD, N.C., Oct. 14 -- With his dramatic victory at Lowe's Motor Speedway in the wee hours Sunday, fending off furious challengers despite a sputtering engine, Jeff Gordon won his sixth race of the year and inched closer to a fifth NASCAR championship.

He also moved within tantalizing reach of career marks that seemed unfathomable when he switched from open-wheel cars to stock cars in 1991. Now 36, a relatively young age in stock-car racing, Gordon stands fifth on the list of NASCAR's all-time race winners, with 81 victories. With three more trips to Victory Lane, he will vault ahead of Cale Yarborough for fourth. And an 85th win would move him past Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip, who share third with 84 victories apiece. Only David Pearson (105) and Richard Petty (200) would remain.

It was too much for Gordon to consider after the race, which lasted just over four hours because it was slowed by 15 cautions -- including a 12-minute halt to the action so oil from a blown engine could be mopped up.

"I don't know how we ever got to 81, so I'm not even thinking about 82 right now," Gordon said. "Right now we're just having one of those spectacular seasons, and we're trying to finish it out and see what we get."

Indeed, Gordon is enjoying one of his best years ever on both the personal and professional front. Married a second time last November, he and his wife, former model Ingrid Vandebosch, welcomed their firstborn, Ella, this summer. On the track, Gordon moved into second place in the points standings on March 11 and has either been first or second since. With five races remaining, he holds a 68-point lead over his friend and Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson.

Gordon uses words such as "karma" and "chemistry" to explain his team's success this year. Luck has reared its head, too. But Gordon's front-running campaign for a fifth title has primarily been the result of having first-rate racecars and crew; a smart young crew chief in Steve Letarte; and seasoning behind the wheel. Although Gordon's talent and speed were never in doubt as a young racer, his patience was. But Gordon appears to have mastered that, as well -- knowing exactly when it's worth putting his car's nose in a precious spot and when it's more prudent to play it safe.

He didn't lead the most laps at Lowe's Motor Speedway. But with 25 laps to go, he was out front, reveling in a four-second lead -- a rout, by NASCAR standards -- when a crash brought the action to a standstill and bunched up the field. Gordon's fuel pressure was so low that his engine was hiccupping. And when he faltered on the restart, Ryan Newman shot past to take the lead. It was Newman's race to lose until he rammed his Dodge into the Turn 2 wall.

The final restart found Clint Bowyer on Gordon's bumper. Again, Gordon wasn't as fast off the blocks as he'd hoped, but a shove from Bowyer actually worked to his favor. Gordon's engine kicked in, and he roared to the victory.

"It's just been the most incredible year," Gordon said. "I hope more than anything I can seal that off with a championship. It would just be one of those dream years I don't think I could ever touch again."