FONTANA, Calif. (August 28, 2007) -  "If we can put a good race car on the track this weekend, then I'm going to be pretty excited about the type of year we're going to have."
     Jeff Gordon made that comment before earning his first pole of the year at California Speedway in February, before notching his first top-five of the 2007 campaign with a second- place finish at the two-mile track, and before posting three wins and nine top-five finishes in the next 10 races to take a commanding lead in the point standings.
     But after back-to-back finishes outside of the top 10 - the first time that has occurred this year for Team DuPont, Gordon wants to "Catch the Wave" again in the Sharp AQUOS 500 this Sunday in Fontana and ride it through the season finale in Miami.
     In addition, Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolet will carry the familiar "fire and flames" design in this weekend's 500-mile race but will feature the premier waterborne basecoat from DuPont Refinish. DuPont™ Cromax® Pro not only complies with strict California VOC regulations, but also helps increase productivity through faster drying times and better hiding. Its "Catch the Wave" product slogan will be featured on Gordon's Monte Carlo SS and firesuit.
     Gordon is no stranger to success at the California track. In 14 starts, the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion leads the following categories at Fontana: wins (3), top-fives (7) and laps led (457). He is tied for most poles at the track with two.
     "This has always been a fun track for me," said Gordon, a native of Vallejo, Calif.
"Anytime you race on an unrestricted two-mile track like here or Michigan, you must have the full package.
     "You must have horsepower, but the car must handle well in the corners and go down the straightaways well aerodynamically.
     "I've enjoyed racing here, but you can't go fast without good equipment." Gordon, who leads the point standings by 349 over Tony Stewart, also leads the series in poles (6), top-fives (14), top-10's (20), races led (17), average finish (7.8) and average start (11.5). His 110 bonus points for laps led and races led are 15 more than his closest competitor.
     But his lead will evaporate when the points are reset for the 12 Chase drivers following the Richmond race on September 8. And for a driver that collected four championships under the "old" point system but has yet to win a NEXTEL Cup, it may be surprising which points structure he prefers.
     "There's a chance I may not be the points leader following Richmond, but I still think the Chase format is great," said Gordon. "The championship will come down to 12 guys during the final 10 races, and five or six drivers may have a shot in the final race.
     "That what makes it more exciting and more challenging. It's what also makes it more rewarding."