Racebeat (06/23/03)
by Rich Romer

NASCAR Winston Cup: Robby Gordon earned his second Winston Cup victory, but earned some strong criticism for racing back to the yellow under caution on his way to the win. Gordon did nearly everything right in winning the Dodge/Save Mart 350. He led 81 of the 110 laps on Infineon Raceway's 1.949-mile, 11-turn road course and outraced four-time series champion Jeff Gordon, no relation, over the last 25 laps to earn his first NASCAR win on a road course. But while Robby celebrated, the runner-up criticized him for his pass of teammate Kevin Harvick under a yellow flag that NASCAR said was perfectly legal. A NASCAR spokesman said it was made clear in the pre-race drivers' meeting that racing back to the finish line under a waving yellow would be allowed.

Harvick, Robby Gordon's Richard Childress Racing teammate, wound up third. The teammates stayed on strategy and pitted under green on lap 66 and briefly fell well back into the field. Harvick beat Gordon back onto the track even though Gordon smoked his tires trying to get out ahead. Harvick stayed in front of Gordon until rookie Christian Fittipaldi hit a tire barrier and brought out a yellow on lap 71.

Gordon took advantage of the situation to pass Harvick as they raced back to the flagstand to take the caution. Jeff Gordon said Robby broke a gentleman's agreement not to pass for position under yellow.