Winner, runner-up trade barbs after race

SONOMA, Calif. -- In Jeff Gordon's opinion, Robby Gordon's move that ultimately won Sunday's Dodge/SaveMart 350 violated the spirit of NASCAR's "gentleman's agreement."

Dodge/Save Mart 350  Lap by Lap  Results  Standings  Video Highlights

Robby Gordon, basking in the glory of his second NASCAR Winston Cup victory, refused to let sour grapes ruin his celebration.

In the pre-race driver's meeting, Robby Gordon specifically asked several times about NASCAR's rules concerning local and full-course cautions, and was told by NASCAR President Mike Helton said today's rules would be no different than it had ever been.

But when Robby Gordon roared past teammate Kevin Harvick to gain a position before taking the yellow flag on lap 72, it left runner-up Jeff Gordon fuming about his lack of protocol.

	Robby Gordon: "I guess he doesn't like it when somebody comes in and rains on his parade." Credit: Autostock

"If Robby was as fast under green as he was under caution that one time, he'd win a lot of these things," Jeff Gordon said. "Anybody who races back under caution like that, I don't know where his mind is at. He did a great job. He won the race fair and square, except for that move right there."

Robby defended his actions, which at the time, left him fifth when the leaders pitted. He then moved around Johnny Benson for good on lap 80.

"Jeff Gordon sat in the same driver's meeting as I did," Robby Gordon said. "And I asked the question three times and disrupted the driver's meeting because I wanted to make sure I understood exactly what they were saying.

"They said, under waving yellow you could race back to the line until you take the yellow. After you take the yellow at the start-finish line.

"I can't help it if I understood exactly what the rules were and took advantage of it. Racing here at Sonoma, it's very hard to pass. I knew if we could get track position, we'd be very hard to beat."

Jeff Gordon wasn't impressed with Robby Gordon's interpretation of the rule.

"That's the thing here. There are no rules," Jeff Gordon said. "It has nothing to do with a rulebook, or black and white. What he did can be done and it is. He's sitting in Victory Lane and won the race. Give him that.

	Robby Gordon leads Jeff Gordon out of Turn 11. Credit: Autostock

"But I'll tell you what, there's not going to be too many guys who are going to have much respect for him. It doesn't matter who it is, you don't do that.

"What this does is set a precedent. We don't race back to the caution for safety reasons. The thing to do is maintain your position. That's the gentleman's agreement."

Robby Gordon was unrepentant.

"Do you really think I care about what Jeff Gordon says about it?" Robby Gordon asked. "I don't know why he's so sore. I guess he doesn't like it when somebody comes in and rains on his parade."

Ironically, Robby Gordon bumped Jeff Gordon out of the way to win the 2001 New Hampshire 300, his only other Winston Cup win until Sunday.