Jeff Gordon combined patience with a fast race car Sunday at Infineon Raceway to grab a record ninth road-course victory.

NASCAR's top "Road Warrior" started 11th in the 43-car field and took the lead for the first time on Lap 49 of the 110-lap Dodge/Save Mart 350.

Two-time series champion Terry Labonte grabbed the lead for a while with a slick fuel strategy, but Gordon was able to hunt NASCAR's "Iceman" down, regain the lead on Lap 88 and eventually pull away for his fifth victory on the picturesque 1.99-mile, 11-turn circuit.

It was a big weekend for Gordon, who acknowledged that he told family and friends Saturday night he is engaged to his longtime girlfriend Ingrid Vandebosch.

"This has been just an awesome weekend," said Gordon, who led a race-high 44 laps.  More