Jeff Gordon Wins Rain Shortened Pennsylvania 400
Mother Nature was on Jeff Gordon's side on Sunday Afternoon as he would win his first race of 2012 at Pocono Raceway in the Pennsylvania 400.
Rain would delay the start of the race for about an hour and a half. Points leader Dale Earnhardt Jr. who started the race in the 8th position would quickly get himself up to the fron of the pack. He would keep himself up or near the front of the pack until about lap 50 when he would have transmission problems. Earnhardt told his Crew Chief that he couldn't put his car into 3rd or 4th gear and had to head to the garage.
Jimmie Johnson would basically take over after Earnhardt had to leave the track. Lap 86 would see Kurt Busch hit the wall causing a yellow flag. A few laps later Johnson would get into Matt Kenseth. Kenseth would spin on the track going right into Denny Hamilin who had no place to go. Jeff Gordon would take the lead after all was said and done after the accident.
At this point, another storm system came into the Pocono area. Kasey Khane had a flat tire but stayed on the track knowing the threat of rain was coming. By lap 98 the race was red flagged and eventually the race was called and Gordon was announced the winner.This would mark Gordon's 86th career victory and his 12th at Pocono Raceway. Even with the flat tire Khane would finish 2nd followed by Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski and Tony Stewart rounding out the top 5. Dale Earnhardt. Jr. would keep the Sprint Cup points lead thatnks to Kenseth's misfortune.
Next Sunday, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Watkins Glen, NY for some road course racing. ESPN will have the television coverage starting at Noon.