Gordon's comeback victory in the Advance Auto Parts 500 on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway was his 71st career win in NASCAR's top division. He is five Cup wins from tying Dale Earnhardt's total, which is the second most in the modern era (1972-present). Darrell Waltrip holds the modern record with 84 victories. "That's unbelievable when I think about it," Gordon said after rallying from three laps down to win his sixth Cup race at Martinsville, tying Earnhardt's total at the historic half-mile track.

"I remember in Daytona [in February] when we won that one and that was 70, I was just amazed. I feel like it's been such a whirlwind and it seems like it's happened overnight.

"To do anything coming close to anything that Dale Earnhardt accomplished is always something that means a lot to us as drivers and me personally."

Sunday's victory was Gordon's second of the year, joining his Daytona 500 triumph. He's averaged about four wins a season in the past four years, so it would seem that he might not tie Earnhardt's total until next year.

Yet, Gordon's Hendrick Motorsports team is one of the sport's strongest. Hendrick and Roush Racing have dominated the series since late last year. They've combined to win 10 of the past 12 Cup races. If that domination continues, Gordon might tie Earnhardt's total this year.

Hendrick's strength was evident Sunday with Gordon. Gordon lost three laps as his team fixed a loose right wheel and steadily regained those laps.

"I think my determination came from this is Martinsville, we run good at Martinsville, the car was amazing and I knew that we couldn't give up," said Gordon, who collected a paycheck for $186,051.

After making up two of his three laps, Gordon raced through the field trying to recoup that last lap. It wasn't easy. At one time, Gordon was the first car a lap down, meaning if the caution came out he would get his lap back. Then leader Tony Stewart started lapping cars. Gordon also had to pass each of those cars to remain the first car a lap down in case the caution came out.

"Every time I would pass a car, they would pass another car," Gordon said.

So, he drove harder into the corners and demanded more from his Chevrolet.

"I wasn't thinking about brakes, tires, nothing," Gordon said. "Just going as hard as I could."

A caution finally came out on lap 257 for Joe Nemechek's accident, but Stewart had lapped Kyle Petty just before it. That allowed Petty - and not Gordon - to get his lap back.

"That was frustrating because I didn't want to run out of time because I knew how good our car was," Gordon said.

He got his lap back during the next caution about 20 laps later.

Gordon then moved through the field, taking the lead for good when he passed Sterling Marlin with 36 laps to go. Those were the only laps in the 500-lap race that Gordon led.

It was good enough to get a win, and help him climb into the top 10 in points. Gordon moved six spots to sixth.

"We talked before the weekend about trying to get solidly into the top 10," Gordon said, alluding to how everyone in the top 10 after the 26th race is guaranteed a spot in the championship chase. "You don't want to get to race 20 and be teetering on being outside the top 10.

"Hopefully, we can roll with this and get some momentum going back with us and get away from that inconsistency."

And closer to Earnhardt's win total.