http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/racing/04/05/texas.nascar.ap/index.htmlFORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Jeff Gordon had gone so long without winning a race, he picked up a new trick or two watching other drivers celebrate.
No, not a backflip a la Carl Edwards.
After the obligatory burnout on the frontstretch for his first victory ever at Texas, one that ended his career-high 47-race winless drought in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Gordon pulled up to the start-finish line and got the checkered flag to take on a long-awaited victory lap.
"It was the coolest. It was like winning for the very first time," Gordon said. "Things have changed since I won a race ... That's the first time I've ever carried a checkered flag in NASCAR. I used to do that in quarter-midgets when I was 8."
Then, after doing another burnout on the backstretch, Gordon finally got to drive into Victory Lane at Texas, where winners get cowboy hats and fire six-shooters into the air.
"This is a huge relief, but also very exciting," Gordon said. "If we can win at Texas, I feel like we can win anywhere."
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