Danica sends Gordon to backup car
LAS VEGAS -- Pole winner Jeff Gordon will start Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway from the back of the field after damaging his car in the closing stages of the final practice session for the Kobalt Tools 400.
Danica Patrick spun her car exiting Turn 2 in front of Gordon, who did not have time or room to react before his No. 24 Chevrolet run by Hendrick Motorsports incurred contact that will force him into a backup car for Sunday's 267-lap contest.
"Danica spun out, and we hit her," Gordon reported over his radio.
Gordon did not speak to the media after the incident, but he expressed his disappointment via Twitter. He was 14th-fastest driver in the practice session.
Patrick was not the only driver to struggle in Saturday's warmer conditions. David Ragan, subbing for the injured Kyle Busch for Joe Gibbs Racing, brushed the wall in the No. 18 Toyota.
"Had a handful on last run and slapped the wall," Ragan said in a tweet. "We will be ready to roll from the back tomorrow. Cars 2 pass and moves to make!"
