Jeff Gordon Breaks Losing Streak with 2009 Texas Win

Although at the top of the points Jeff Gordon came into today's 2009 Samsung 500 at Texas Motor Speedway riding the longest losing streak of his career. Gordon hadn't been to Victory Lane in a point race since 2007 but left little doubt today as he ruled the closing laps to claim the win.

Qualifying

Ford drivers registered a noticeable improvement over recent weeks as Blue Oval drivers claimed three of the top five qualifying spots. However the front row saw David Reutimann on the pole in his Toyota with Chevy's Jeff Gordon along side.

Ford drivers owned the next three starting spots as Matt Kenseth, David Ragan and Paul Menard rounded out the top five.

Drop Of The Green

Jeff Gordon lead the first lap by inches on the outside of David Reutimann. He then got a run up the backstretch on lap two and moved into single-file line ahead of Reutimann and Matt Kenseth.

Reutimann claimed the top spot on lap eight as Gordon dropped back into the field.

The early going was quiet as Reutimann continued to lead over Matt Kenseth.

Storylines

Jeff Gordon's last NASCAR Cup series victory came at Lowes Motor Speedway in 2007. His current 47 race winless streak was easily the longest of his career.

Gordon had returned to top form this season, is leading the points and it seemed to be just a matter of time before he got back to Victory Lane. It seems that Jeff Gordon has returned to his form from the 90s and is the man to beat in NASCAR 2009.

Chasing The Checkers

The final round of pit stops came with 30 laps to go. Jeff Gordon won the race off of pit road ahead of Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Greg Biffle and Mark Martin.

Johnson got past Stewart on the restart but Jeff Gordon was already well out front. Jimmie Johnson closed the gap as the laps wound down but Jeff Gordon rolled comfortably home for the win.

Top Ten

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Greg Biffle
4. Tony Stewart
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Mark Martin
7. Juan Montoya
8. Kurt Busch
9. Jeff Burton
10. Carl Edwards

The Points

Jeff Gordon's first win of 2009 further solidified his spot at the top of the points. His teammate Jimmie Johnson moved up to second place on the strength of his second place finish.

At the back end of the top twelve Jeff Burton moved into twelfth place replacing Kevin Harvick who fell all the way to 14th.

The top twelve are now:

1. Jeff Gordon
2. Jimmie Johnson -162
3. Kurt Busch -180
4. Clint Bowyer -187
5. Tony Stewart -191
6. Denny Hamlin -216
7. Kyle Busch -240
8. Carl Edwards -265
9. Matt Kenseth -290
10. Kasey Kahne -303
11. David Reutimann -309
12. Jeff Burton -319