Jeff Gordon returns to Victory Lane in Phoenix

February 27, 2011|By HEATHER WILLIAMS | Eyewitness Sports

AVONDALE, Arizona — After a 66 race absence the 24 went back in victory lane Sunday in Phoenix. Jeff Gordon avoided a crash filled Subway Fresh Fit 500, leading the most laps to pick up his 83rd career Sprint Cup victory.

The win moves Gordon into a tie for 5th all-time on the Sprint Cup victory list, tied with Cale Yabrough. One more will move him into a tie with Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison for third. For his team Hendrick Motorsports its the 7th win in 9 races at Phoenix.

"It feels so amazing," said Gordon. "I cant tell you how amazing this feels. "It's been a long time I know and I'm gonna savor this one so much."

It also ended Kyle Busch's chance at the weekend sweep. The 18 had to settle for 2nd. Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick and Ryan Newman rounded out the top 5.

"We had a fun time today, we came through a lot of adversity," Busch said after the race. "There at the end, Jeff just had a better car than me. He just ran me down at the end."

Busch also apologised to Carl Edwards for an accident that took out Edwards and several other cars. Busch got lose and came down on Edwards, sending him spinning in the middle of the field. Another accident just a few laps later, left more than half the field with some sort of damage.

Kyle Busch takes over the points lead, with is brother Kurt in second. Tony Stewart, AJ Allmendinger, Mark Martin, Gordon, Newman, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bobby Labonte, Paul Menard, David Gilliland and Johnson round out the top 12.

|

|

|