Gordon, who was freed from questions about a career-long 31-race winless streak when he won last weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, scored his fifth Southern 500 victory and his sixth career win at the 1.366-mile oval.

With his 60th career victory in 318 races, Gordon tied Cale Yarborough as a five-time winner of the Labor Day weekend classic and moved into third on the all-time Darlington victories list, behind David Pearson and the late Dale Earnhardt.

Sterling Marlin, who led the second most laps, finished fourth to maintain his lead in the standings. Gordon did, however, jump over Mark Martin into second, unofficially 91 points behind Marlin. More