Gordon Solidifies Series Lead

Three-time Winston Cup champion Jeff Gordon solidified his series lead Sunday with his third victory in a first-time race, pulling away from rookie Ryan Newman to win the crash-filled NASCAR Protection One 400 at Kansas City, Kan.

Gordon had to survive a wild, 267-lap event at the Kansas Speedway that saw 12 caution flags and an 11-minute red-flag stoppage before earning his series-leading sixth victory of the season and 58th of his career.

Newman, who passed series runner-up Ricky Rudd for second place five laps from the end, wound up trailing Gordon’s Chevrolet to the finish line by about five car lengths. Rudd held off Rusty Wallace and Sterling Marlin in a three-wide battle for third.

Wallace finished fourth after leading for 118 laps. He had to come back from 17th place in the late going after being penalized for speeding off of pit road.

Rudd trails Gordon by 222 points with eight races remaining.

Kenny Bernstein moved back into the Winston top fuel points lead with a final-round victory at the inaugural NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway at Joliet, Ill.

Bernstein beat Darrell Russell and leads the top fuel category by 14 points over Larry Dixon.

Whit Bazemore beat John Force in the funny car final, Warren Johnson claimed his sixth victory this season in pro stock and Taylor Lastor won the pro stock truck competition.