Jeff Gordon lashed out at teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Sunday, chastising him for what he said was a risky move during the Pure Michigan 400.
Earnhardt swept by his teammate four-wide after a mid-race restart and slid up in front of him, nearly hitting Gordon’s car.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s tactics at Michigan leave teammate Jeff Gordon steaming. (AP Photo)
Gordon, who is fighting for a wild-card spot in the Chase, was livid with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate at the time.
“He can thank me for not wrecking him,” Gordon told his crew. “That was stupid.”
Gordon later blew an engine and fell out of the race, while Earnhardt moved into contention for the win.
After climbing from his car, Gordon explained the incident and his anger.
“At the moment I was (mad). I get mad. That happens,” he said. “I didn't think it was very smart what he did. He took me four-wide and then he slid up in front of me. If I hadn't checked up, I would have wrecked him and a bunch of us. So it happened and we move on.”
Gordon said Earnhardt should have shown him more respect, especially as a teammate.
“You don't want to have to check up in that instance,” Gordon said. “In that moment, he wasn't treating me like a teammate and I wasn't doing anything different than I would have done. He's racing hard. I don't blame him for taking me four-wide. But if you're going to take a guy four-wide, don't come sliding up the racetrack because that is going to wreck you and other people.”
Earnhardt swept by his teammate four-wide after a mid-race restart and slid up in front of him, nearly hitting Gordon’s car.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s tactics at Michigan leave teammate Jeff Gordon steaming. (AP Photo)
Gordon, who is fighting for a wild-card spot in the Chase, was livid with his Hendrick Motorsports teammate at the time.
“He can thank me for not wrecking him,” Gordon told his crew. “That was stupid.”
Gordon later blew an engine and fell out of the race, while Earnhardt moved into contention for the win.
After climbing from his car, Gordon explained the incident and his anger.
“At the moment I was (mad). I get mad. That happens,” he said. “I didn't think it was very smart what he did. He took me four-wide and then he slid up in front of me. If I hadn't checked up, I would have wrecked him and a bunch of us. So it happened and we move on.”
Gordon said Earnhardt should have shown him more respect, especially as a teammate.
“You don't want to have to check up in that instance,” Gordon said. “In that moment, he wasn't treating me like a teammate and I wasn't doing anything different than I would have done. He's racing hard. I don't blame him for taking me four-wide. But if you're going to take a guy four-wide, don't come sliding up the racetrack because that is going to wreck you and other people.”