The NASCAR Sprint Cup “FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks” is on tap Sunday at Dover International Speedway.
Brad Keselowski won the pole Friday with Kyle Busch finishing second. Keselowski is 9th in the points race and Busch is third. They’re chasing Jeff Gordon, who tops the standings despite battling back problems.
Gordon, with four career wins at Dover, but none since 2001, says this is a key race now and because they’ll be back again in September during the Chase for the Championship.
“Every time we come to a track that is going to be in the Chase, we’re not just looking at how we can perform well at that race," said Gorodon. "We’re looking for as much information as we can gather to make sure that if we’re in the Chase we can come back and be competitive enough to go win the championship and be strong at that race."
Gordon qualified sixth and will start in the third row Sunday at 2 pm.
But but the driver most will be watching is six-time Sprint Cup champ Jimmie Johnson.
Johnson, who is sixth in the points race this year, has a record 8 career wins in Dover, including his victory on the one mile concrete oval last September.
“Really, at the end of the day there’s a feel, a sensation I look for to get around this race track. And everything has worked well for me and the team, our equipment [here in Dover]. This has just been a very strong track for us," said Johnson. "So, over time as things change, I just pay attention to the feeling I’m looking for and we’re able to work through whatever challenges are thrown at us.”
Johnson finished 8th in qualifying Friday and is coming off a win last week in Charlotte that ended a 12 race winless streak