Jeff Gordon's race, and his championship hopes, ended early at Lowe's Motor Speedway. (Photo: Getty Images/Chris Trotman)

Also resigned to his dismal fate was Jeff Gordon, the four-time series champ, who lost an engine on Lap 301. It was his second motor failure in the final 35 laps over the last three races in his normally bulletproof Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. "It's just not meant to be for us this year," said Gordon, who fell to 10th in points. "We are happy to make the Chase. From here on out, we try to win races."

Which is exactly what Kahne wants to keep doing. In fact, asked if he'd swap the points lead for his series-high six victories this season, he said, "No way. There's no way he (points leader Burton) could have had as much fun as we've had. We've celebrated six times. If he celebrates at the end of the year, that's great for them. But we've already celebrated six times and hope to do it some more. So I wouldn't give up any of these wins."

And with the tracks still left on the schedule, it's entirely possible that Kahne and has team have a lot more winning to do this year.

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