Just watched it again. On a day when 30-32 laps was the standard fuel window, and 34-36 was an extreme stretch with work and luck, Gordon extracted 37.8 laps out if a tank, with 4 laps of caution. Of course he needed 39. It's even more incredible since it seems that Gordon and the Menard team did practically nothing to save fuel in that last run to the finish. He led the entire way, often pulling out 4+ sec. leads. He consistently posted the fastest or second fastest lap times of all cars on the track. He careened his way through traffic (brilliantly) instead of using tows anywhere.
I wonder if, had his crew used any strategy other than trying to dubiously keep him blissfully ignorant, if he could've made it. Turned the fuel setting down, let other cars lead, etc. Robby had doubts the whole time, and the team kept telling him not to worry. Not good.
I wonder if, had his crew used any strategy other than trying to dubiously keep him blissfully ignorant, if he could've made it. Turned the fuel setting down, let other cars lead, etc. Robby had doubts the whole time, and the team kept telling him not to worry. Not good.
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