When Jeff Gordon starts his engine in Sunday’s Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (2 p.m. ET on NBCSN), he will pass Ricky Rudd as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series consecutive starts leader by beginning his 789th straight race.
NASCAR’s new Iron Man has not missed a start since making his NSCS debut at Atlanta on Nov. 15, 1992 – a span of 22 years, 10 months and 12 days.
NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee Rudd’s streak began on Jan. 11, 1981 and ended on Sept. 20, 2005. Over the stretch, he amassed a 23 wins, 194 top fives, 375 top 10s and 29 Coors Light Pole Awards. While impressive, his stats pale in comparison to Gordon who boasts four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, 92 wins, 323 top fives, 467 top 10s and 80 Coors Light Pole Awards.
Gordon cannot afford to get overly sentimental on Sunday because he has a fifth NASCAR Sprint Cup Series title to earn. He sits in the 12th and final Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup transfer spot, three points above Jamie McMurray on the cutoff line. But remember, a win gets a driver into the next round and Gordon boasts three victories at New Hampshire International Speedway– tied for the lead among active drivers.
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
