Robby Gordon Climbs Off Top- 35 Points Bubble With Dover Effort

Dover, DE (AHN)-After Monday's Autism Speaks 400 from Dover, Delaware, Robby Gordon was grinning from ear to ear. After all, the Cerritos, California native drove to a tenth place finish on Monday, his first top-10 of the year in Nextel Cup.

"The bright side to it is our intermediate stuff wasn't that bad - our Car of Tomorrow stuff stunk," Gordon said. "And, I knew Gene (Nead, new crew chief) would make an impact with the Car of Tomorrow."

Gordon started off the year with four straight finishes of 21st or better with crew chief Greg Erwin. Erwin left Robby Gordon Motorsports less than a month ago when he felt like he was holding the team back. Erwin was quickly signed as the crew chief for Greg Biffle and Gordon called in Gene Nead for assistance.

Gordon was thrilled for Erwin after a sixth place finish by Biffle at Dover.

"Greg Erwin, I'm very, very happy where they finished today, sixth place for him over there with Biffle, and a 10th-place for us," Robby Gordon said. "It shows that sometimes a change is necessary for both parties."

The three-time career Nextel Cup winner was supposed to start Monday's event in Dover in 33rd position.. However, an engine change forced him to start 42nd in his Menards/MAPEI Ford. He then picked his way through traffic and by the time there were ten laps remaining, Gordon held ground anywhere from seventh to eleventh.

"When you can race with Jeff Gordon and finish in the top 10, you can race to win," Robby Gordon said.

Jeff Gordon, the Nextel Cup points leader, finished just ahead of non-relative Robby Gordon in ninth.

In wake of the result, Jeff Gordon climbed from 33rd to a tie for 30th in driver and car owner points. To maintain a spot in every Nextel Cup event, he must continue to stay in the top- 35 of owners points. He now enjoys a 200- point cushion over Scot Riggs, who sits in 36th position.

The seeries heads to Pocono this weekend, where Jeff Gordon finished 13th in the last race held there.

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