Drivers Mixed on Michigan Fuel Finish

The wide racing surface with multiple grooves at Michigan International Speedway often leads to a clean, green race and Sunday's LifeLock 400 was no different with fuel mileage spelling the final name of the game.

Greg Biffle and Jimmie Johnson both eliminated themselves by driving too hard and burning too much fuel in the final laps, and Mark Martin wisely conserved just enough fuel to dramatically win the race after running out of gas himself in the final corner.

And despite the back-to-back fuel mileage finishes in the Sprint Cup Series, the finish of Sunday's race certainly added a little bit of spice to an otherwise vanilla day.

LifeLock 400: Mark Martin Surprised by Victory | Final Results

"That's what I find so exciting about this race, even though it came down to fuel mileage, is that, you know, those guys had to race one another and put themselves into position to push a little bit harder than they probably wanted to, and they both ran out of fuel," said Gordon, who finished second. "I think it's ironic, and at the same time it's exciting for everybody involved."

Third-place finisher Denny Hamlin said it can be disappointing, but also rewarding to have a fuel-mileage finish because of the skill and calculation it takes.

"It does put the driver in it, for sure," said Hamlin. "I mean, when we're all short [on fuel], and I'm pretty sure that everyone was short, without having to save gas on the racetrack, it puts it in the drivers' hands in the sense of how hard do you want to push it versus how much do you want to save."

And for Gordon, his second-place standing in the points affords the team a chance to take a few more chances with fuel mileage.

"I think right now we're definitely in a position to take more chances," said Gordon. "But I don't think we take stupid chances. I think that there's a big difference."

On the flip side, for Jimmie Johnson to lose a race in which he led 144 of 200 laps of isn't an easy pill to swallow -- though he sees a bright side in not having the best fuel mileage.

"I am disappointed about the fuel," said Johnson. "The forty-eight car, myself, whatever it is, but we don't get the best fuel mileage and we are always fast. So I will take being fast and lose some every now and then to fuel mileage."

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Firemen work in the car in which Mexican Nascar driver Carlos Pardo had an accident on June 14, 2009 in Amozoc, Puebla state, Mexico. Pardo died in an accident during a Nascar race. AFP PHOTO/ Jose Castaï¿½ares (Photo credit should read Jose Castaï¿½ares/AFP/Getty Images)

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Mexican Nascar driver Carlos Pardo's wife (C) cries in the racetrack next to an ambulance after knowing of his death next on June 14, 2009 in Amozoc, Puebla state, Mexico. Pardo died in an accident during a Nascar race. AFP PHOTO/ Jose Castaï¿½ares (Photo credit should read Jose Castaï¿½ares/AFP/Getty Images)

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Mark Martin celebrates winning the NASCAR LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Mark Martin celebrates winning the NASCAR LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Mark Martin rounds during the NASCAR LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 14: Grand Marshal Kid Rock walks on the grid prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 14, 2009 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kid Rock

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 14: Jimmie Johnson, driving the #48 Low'es Chevrolet, pulls out of the fourth turn during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 14, 2009 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmie Johnson

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BROOKLYN, MI - JUNE 14: Mark Martin, driver of the #5 CARQUEST/Kellogg's Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on June 14, 2009 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Martin

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