NASCAR: Gordon eyes hat-trick win

The Chevrolet driver had already clinched his third Winston Cup championship in four years when he took the chequered flag in last year's Atlanta race.

The Indianapolis-based star also won earlier this year in the fourth round of the 1999 series.

If Gordon were to score a victory on Sunday, it would be his eighth this season

That would not only guarantee him the most wins this season, it would give him the most wins for five-consecutive seasons - a Winston Cup record.

Only fifth placed Jeff Burton, who lies one place ahead of the 28-year-old in this year's title race, can tie Gordon for the most wins this season.

Dale Jarrett is this year's champion, but a win for Gordon in Sunday's race would put him ahead of Burton and within sight of fourth placed Tony Stewart.

'I never dreamed that my career would wind up where it is today,' said Gordon. 'We have accomplished so much in so little time -- it's overwhelming to think about it.

'It would be nice to finish the year out with a win.

'We've got nothing to lose and we're going to give it our all.

Either way, having won seven races, including the Daytona 500, and seven poles, I'd say we've had a successful year.

'Congratulations goes to Dale Jarrett, Todd Parrot and Robert Yates Racing for their championship season. They were the best team this year and they deserve this championship.'

A win this weekend would also be Gordon's 50th-career victory and he would finish the century in a tie for eighth on the all-time win list with Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson.