As the cars exit pit road, a combination of cheers and boos is heard from the audience. Jeff Gordon has beaten the competition back onto the track. The afternoon progresses with a multitude of stirring performances. The battle for the lead has been virtually nonexistant. But, the real battles are deeper in the field.
Drivers fight to stay on the lead lap.
Go a lap down and you can't win. The struggle continues as the 3 o'clock hour approaches. The last fifty laps are the day's encore. You lay all your cards on the table at that point. Every ounce of energy goes into winning the race.