AUTO RACING
Page B6 • Saturday, November 2, 2013
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
NASCAR SPRINT CUP: AAA TEXAS 500, 2 P.M. SUNDAY, ESPN
Gordon making most of unprecedented Chase chance By STEPHEN HAWKINS The Associated Press FORT WORTH, Texas – Jeff Gordon acknowledges that most of his answers will be similar when asked about his championship chances, usually along the lines of wait and see what happens. Gordon is just glad the tone of the questions has changed with three races left in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship. “Man, the thing is, I love just the fact that we’re in the conversation right now,” Gordon said Friday. “I’m just excited that we’re not talking about me retiring and what changes need to happen to our team. I mean, you’ve got to understand those are the conversations and questions I’ve been getting asked most of the season and I understand. Our
results and our stats have not been good enough to have any other questions be asked.” Gordon certainly has made the most of getting an unprecedented 13th spot in the Chase. The four-time Cup champion has moved up to a season-high third in points going into Sunday’s race at Texas, the highbanked, 1½-mile track with which he admittedly has had a love-hate relationship. After getting his first victory of the season last weekend at Martinsville, Gordon moved within 27 points of Joe Gibbs Racing driver Matt Kenseth and his Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jimmie Johnson. “We’re not going into anything hoping or wishing anything bad on anybody. We’re just proud to be where we’re at, and just hope that we can keep that up,” Gordon said. “We’ve got momentum, we’ve
Johnson was third at 195.943, even brushing the wall coming hard out of the fourth turn, and Kenseth was sixth at 195.518. “I was committed to the throttle off of Turn 4 and just kind of ran out of room,” Johnson said. “And I hate to admit it, but at one point I think I had my eyes shut because I knew there was going to be contact. I just didn’t know how much. But, I just grazed the wall and scratched the sticker for the bumper cover and tail light on the back of AP photo the car.” The 42-year-old Gordon Driver Jeff Gordon leans and looks out from the garage Friday before practice for Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup series race at the Texas Mo- won his last Cup title in 2001, and got into this year’s Chase tor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas. only two days before the opengot a lot of excitement within both Johnson and Kenseth. ing race. NASCAR ruled that Carl Edwards, the only he had been denied the ability the team, we’re going to the three-time Cup winner at to fairly race his way into the race track having fun.” Gordon qualified eighth at Texas, earned the pole with a 12-driver field by the manipuTexas, and will start behind qualifying lap of 196.114 mph. lations of at least three other
All About EYES®
organizations during the Sept. 7 race at Richmond. This will be the 26th Cup race at Texas, where Gordon has 11 top-10 finishes and won four years ago. But it is also the track where he has the only two last-place finishes in his 722 career starts, and finished 38th in April because of a suspension problem. “The first couple of years that we were here, it didn’t go so well,” he said. “When I think way back when this track was first built, a very challenging race track. There were times we were really fast but couldn’t get to the finish. Then we were finally able to pull off a victory, and the last couple of times we’ve been here, we’ve actually been very competitive ... Yeah, I would say it’s a bit of a love-hate, but recently it’s been more love than anything else.”
• Butcher • Baker • Deli • Fresh Seafood • Specialty Wines and Beers
Inboden’s Market
Hours: Mon–Sat 8am–7pm; Closed Sun
1106 N. 1st, DeKalb • 756-5852
INBODEN’S BEER AND WINE ROOM
FALL WINE TASTING SEMINAR This Educational After-Hours Event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 3rd, 2013 from 3:30pm to 6pm at Inboden’s.
This is your chance to learn about, and sample from our selection of high-end, giftable fine wines and also get a taste of some quality, affordable wines that have been hand-picked for the holidays! Take this opportunity to get ideas for your holiday shopping, or pick up a gift for yourself!
DeKalb 2201 Sycamore Rd (815) 754-2020
There will be drawings, prizes and tons of food, so come hungry! Tickets will be $20/person with valid I.D. You can get your tickets at Inboden’s Market in advance or purchase them at the door the day of the event. You can also call 815-756-5852 to make your reservation with a credit card.
OPEN Mon–Fri 9-7, Sat 9–6, Sun 11–5
Case discounts will be available for purchases made the day of the event.
6430 E. State St, Rockford IL (815) 708-8561 2730 Rt. 34, Oswego IL (630) 551-1400 4304 E. Lincolnway, Sterling IL (815) 626-2020
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Top 3 Picks! November 2 Astronomer Public Star Party Afton Forest Preserve, DeKalb
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Look at stars, galaxies, nebulae and star clusters with the help of NSA member telescopes. Dress for a cold evening and bring a flashlight covered with red plastic or cellophane. In the event of inclement weather the event will be canceled. Free .m. and no registration required. Starts at 6 p.m. dekalbcounty.org/ForestPreserve
November 2 Last Night of Amenti Haunted House Egyptian Theatre, DeKalb
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Get in one last good scare! Terror after terror await those who dare to enter with over 20 different scenes on 6 different levels. Not recommended for anyone under 13 due to the intense scare factor. Tickets start at $13 each. Starts at 7 p.m. egyptiantheatre.org November 2 “Children of the Corn” Halloween Sketch Comedy Diversion Lounge Holmes Student Center, DeKalb
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This sketch show is the perfect marriage of pop culture and well-known Halloween horror movie formulas that is packed with familiar characters that are completely ridiculous and perfect for this Halloween event. Tickets are $5. Starts at 10 p.m. 309-798-9253 Please note; we try to be as accurate as possible with our events but things are subject to change without notice. Check the listing and confirm before heading to an event.
Spotlight! Flippin Eggs Pumpkin pancakes and pumpkin French toast are back for the season! Enjoy those along with a wide assortment of omelets, breakfast skillets, sandwiches, sides and more. Serving breakfast and lunch seven days a week. 831 S. 4th St. DeKalb 815-754-6900
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4001 COUNTRY CLUB RD. • WOODSTOCK, IL
815-356-8600 Our calendar with the best list of family friendly events and activities.
160 SOUTH LOVES RD. • CORTLAND, IL
815-756-4824 100 BARNEY DR. • JOLIET, IL
815-725-0030 All the details for local festivals, concerts and more!
99 E. CENTRALIA • ELKHORN, WI
800-763-932