Jeff Gordon was involved in a second wreck on lap 76 of the UAW-GM Quality 500. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Busch, Gordon in early accident at Charlotte

CONCORD, N.C. -- Nextel Cup Series points leader Kurt Busch and third place Jeff Gordon were involved in an accident on the first lap of the UAW-GM Quality 500 Saturday when Scott Riggs' missed shift stacked up the field, but both managed to emerge from the scrum with little more than cosmetic damage.

Jeff Gordon

That said, both drivers were forced to pit more than once to repair front-fender damage, costing them valuable track position early on.

"We got pretty fortunate down there," said Robbie Loomis, Gordon's crew chief. "Our biggest concern is temperature. It looks like we got the nose fixed up well, got the back end fixed up well, too. The DuPont Chevrolet is running well. We just need some track position."

Riggs qualified fourth, but as the field coursed into Turn 1 on the first lap, he missed a shift in the No. 10 Chevrolet and injured the engine. The field stacked up behind him, and Busch and Gordon suffered the cosmetic damage to their machines.

VIDEO Near disaster Busch, Gordon in multi-car wreck on first lap

"This was my fault," Riggs said. "I missed a shift on the initial start and not only ruined the engine but ruined the whole night and ruined a great shot at a great car and having a great finish. Nobody's fault but my own."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., second in the Nextel Cup standings, was nearly collected, as well, but managed to avoid contact. Greg Biffle, however, wasn't so fortunate.

Biffle's Ford was spun head-on into the outside retaining wall and suffered significant damage to the National Guard Ford.

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"Just got hit from behind," Biffle said. "Maybe the guy behind us was a little overanxious to get back racing again and got in the back of us. We were checking up on the throttle, and I was on the brakes pretty good.

"The guy probably wasn't expecting it going into the corner like that. It sucks, but that's racing."

Busch restarted 34th and Gordon 35th, both still on the lead lap. Busch quickly surged forward - he was 12th by lap 71 -- while Gordon struggled with a loose-handling racecar until he eventually spun out exiting Turn 4 on Lap 76 while running in 30th position.