Gordon awarded for setting Las Vegas track record

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (March 3, 2010) – Despite two disappointing finishes in the first two events of the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season, Jeff Gordon rebounded in last weekend’s 400-mile race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing third overall and flashing the competitive form that has led him to four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles. Gordon captured a Las Vegas track record for most laps led, and also posted the fastest lap time while leading (180.971 mph, Lap 236) the event securing the "Goodyear Gatorback Belts Fastest Lap" of the race award. The award is part of the NASCAR Prize Money and Decal Program, also referred to as the contingency program, which provide teams prize money and weekly awards based on performance in several categories. Established in 2003, the "Goodyear Gatorback Belts Fastest Lap" weekly contingency award recognizes the driver who turns the fastest lap time while leading each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. Goodyear Gatorback belts have been used by NASCAR teams since 1981 and have been an exclusive NASCAR Performance automotive partner since 1997. Gordon, driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet, dominated the race, leading 219 of the 267 laps while searching for his first victory of the year. “Obviously it was a great day for us, dominating performance,” said Jeff Gordon during his Sunday post race interview at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “I’m disappointed (not getting the win), but at the same time, you know, we haven't dominated like this in a very, very long time. Today we showed what we're capable of. It gives us a lot of momentum to go to Atlanta.” Gordon, 38, is in his 19th year as a driver in the Sprint Cup Series. During his renowned career, Gordon has turned 167,642 laps, leading 20,970 of them, in 584 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races.