Gordon extends Hendrick's run of fantastic finishes

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- There it was, the break every other team on the Nextel Cup circuit had been waiting for, embodied in the small geyser of steam spitting from the overflow valve on Jeff Gordon's car. The squad that never had any trouble at the end of races was having plenty of it, with the needle on the engine temperature valve climbing into the red zone and the No. 24 Chevy literally sputtering to the finish.

Lap-by-Lap

Jeff Gordon stayed out as Jimmie Johnson pitted, and despite driving an overheating car, held the lead en route to the victory at Darlington.

• Complete story, click here
• Race Video, click here

But somehow, all the rods and pistons and rings held together, and NASCAR fans assembled at Darlington Raceway on Sunday witnessed a result similar to those they've seen all season -- other teams dominating, and Hendrick Motorsports finding a way to win. Denny Hamlin led 179 of 367 laps in the Dodge Avenger 500, but Gordon took the lead on a late pit stop and kept his smoking vehicle together until the end.

It's a familiar theme. From Atlanta and Bristol to Martinsville and Phoenix and Darlington, the year has been defined by Hendrick drivers capitalizing on other teams' mistakes. They're not dominating races, but dominating the season by leading the laps that count most -- those at the very end.

"I think that we're dominating the finishes," said Steve Letarte, Gordon's crew chief. "I don't think we're dominating the races by any means. I feel we've been outclassed on the racetrack a few times, and that's my job to fix."

But they haven't been outclassed at the end, where they've avoided the problems or misfortunes that have plagued other teams. At Atlanta, Stewart is in control until a late caution, and Jimmie Johnson leads the final two laps. At Bristol, Stewart is the class of the field until his fuel pump goes bad, and Kyle Busch wins. Dale Earnhardt Jr. clearly has the best car at Martinsville until rain comes, and Johnson surfs to Victory Lane. Stewart and Hamlin dominate at Phoenix, until late cautions help Gordon take command.

And then there was Sunday at Darlington, when lug nuts came unglued from a tire during a crucial pit stop, and scuttled Hamlin's hopes. Gordon has led 674 laps this season, more than any other driver, but only 63 laps more than Hamlin. Yet Gordon now has three race victories and the Nextel Cup points lead, while Hamlin remains winless -- and quite frustrated. (Continued)