The Last Time: Texas Motor Speedway

CONCORD, N.C. – In 11 of the 33 races this season, Jeff Gordon has either won the event or crossed the finish line as the runner-up.

One of those top-two finishes came in April when the Sprint Cup Series headed to Texas Motor Speedway – the site of this weekend’s second race of the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

In that April event, which was postponed a day due to rain, Gordon benefitted from a late-race pit strategy by No. 24 crew chief Alan Gustafson.

With three laps to go, Gordon headed to pit road under caution and took just two tires. That allowed him to pick up five spots and return to the track in first place for the green-white-checkered attempt.

Though he wasn’t able to hold the lead, he still took home second place, and was joined in the top 11 by Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kasey Kahne.

"We were really strong the first half of the race," Gordon said at the time. "That was a great call by Alan Gustafson."

After a second-place finish in the first race of the Eliminator Round at Martinsville Speedway, Gordon would welcome a repeat performance – or one position better -- as he currently holds the points lead in the Chase.

Teammates Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were not as fortunate in April’s race at Texas, as Johnson finished 25th due to a tire issue and Earnhardt was scored 43rd after being sidelined by an incident on Lap 13.

Relive this year's first race at Texas Motor Speedway with HendrickMotorsports.com's recap and photo highlights of all four drivers:
Kasey Kahne and the No. 5 team
Jeff Gordon and the No. 24 team
Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team
Dale Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 88 team