FanHouse Samsung 500

Sunday afternoon, the longest drought in between wins in Jeff Gordon's Sprint Cup career finally came to a close with a 'W' in Texas Motor Speedway's Samsung 500. Here's a quick look at No. 24's drought by the numbers:

14,037 - Laps completed between victory lane visits

540 - Days in between wins for Gordon [Lowe's, Oct. 13, 2007 - Texas, April 5, 2009]

447 - Total laps led in 2008

394 - Total laps led in seven 2009 races

For the first time since October 2007, we don't have to hear about Jeff Gordon's winless streak.

Gordon went from worst a year ago at Texas Motor Speedway to first on Sunday to win the Samsung 500 and cement the No. 24 as a legitimate championship contender.

Where: Texas Motor Speedway
Time: Sunday 2 p.m./EDT
TV/Radio: FOX Sports, PRN Radio
Forecast: Sunny, 62 degrees
Distance: 334 laps (501 miles)
Pole Winner: David Reutimann
2008 Winner: Carl Edwards


For the sake of racing in general let's hope that Saturday's Nationwide Series race at TMS will have been nothing like Sunday's Samsung 500. Missed that race? Well, here's all you need to know: Kyle Busch, Kyle Busch and, yep, more Kyle freakin' Busch.

The old cliché 'what a difference a year makes' couldn't have rang more true for Michael Waltrip Racing's No. 00 Friday afternoon at Texas Motor Speedway.

A year ago, that No. 00 driven by Michael McDowell suffered one of the single-most violent crashes in NASCAR history as it first slammed the turn one wall before rolling multiple times down the track in qualifying. McDowell, miracuously, was uninjured.

Friday, though, David Reutimann continued his hot start to the season in the No. 00 by taking the pole for Sunday's Samsung 500.

The Nextel Cup boys return to the track this weekend in the Lone Star State at Texas Motor Speedway. Kasey Kahne won last year's event, and another this weekend would get his terrible start for the 2007 campaign somewhat turned around. Coverage of Sunday's Samsung 500 starts live on FOX at 1:30pm/ET.

1. Tony Stewart. - He was on fire here a few years ago -- literally. This weekend Smoke returns to victory lane in a performance that will put the troubles of Bristol very, very distant in the rearview mirror.

2. Jeff Gordon. - The 24 car has never seen victory lane at Texas, and this weekend will be no different. A solid run will keep the points lead in hand, however.

3. Elliott Sadler. - Remember that Sadler was in victory lane at TMS in 2004 while driving for another team. Look for the 19 to be up front again this weekend as Sadler continues his pursuit to make the Chase.