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Gordon Ends Winless Streak in Texas, Wins Samsung 500

Jeff Gordon finally did it! The Hendrick Motorsport driver ended his 47-race winless streak at the least expected place of all, the Texas Motor Speedway, winning Sunday's Samsung 500. The Californian therefore clinched his 82nd Sprint Cup win in career, only one success away from 5th place all-time Cale Yarborough.

It had been more than 8 years since Gordon last walked in the victory lane in Texas, and now it was an all-team effort. With 29 laps to go and last pit stop in the race, Gordon's crew performed wonderfully and boosted Gordon all the way into the lead, while until-then leader Carl Edwards went off the pit road in 11th place.

Nonetheless, the No 24 Chevrolet had to survive a late comeback from teammate Jimmie Johnson, who recovered a 2-second deficit in the last run of the day – following the caution period on Lap 309 – to come only 3 car lengths away from Gordon at the finish line. Third overall was Roush Fenway Racing's Greg Biffle, who had to pay tribute to a catastrophic pit stop on Lap 252 – otherwise a clear favorite for Sunday's race, considering his fast car this weekend.

“I've got me a win in Texas -- I love you!” were the first words that came out of Gordon's mouth after the finish line, as he reckoned the win that broke his winless streak in the championship couldn't have come in a better place.

“How ironic is this that we go on this [winless] streak and we end it here at Texas, a place that just eluded us for so long. This was an incredible team effort. This whole year has been amazing, and what a great car. We've never had a car like this at Texas, and we finally had one and put it in position,” added the Californian.

Tony Stewart went on to clinch another Top 5 finish on Sunday, crossing the finish line in 4th place, while followed by Roush Fenway Racing's Matt Kenseth. The Top 10 was completed by Mark Martin, Juan Montoya, Kurt Busch, Jeff Burton and Carl Edwards.

Gordon's win in Texas extended his lead in the overall standings to 162 to Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson (now in second place). Kurt Busch's 8th place on Sunday threw him out of the runner-up spot, as he now lies only 18 points behind Johnson.
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