Gordon's misfortunes continue

DARLINGTON, S.C. - Jeff Gordon's season didn't get any better at one of his most successful tracks.

He was running 35th after 343 laps at the NASCAR Sprint Cup race Saturday ight.

Gordon twice had to pit because of flat tires, continuing a host of struggles that have left the four-time Sprint Cup champion 23d in the points. "We got something broke here, boys," Gordon told his crew as he headed into the pits for his second flat tire.

Gordon drove the car into the garage after the second flat, his crew inspecting underneath for problems while Gordon waited patiently inside.

It's been that sort of year for Gordon, who had hoped to find his old form at Darlington Raceway, a track where he's won seven times.

"It's the same old story," Gordon said. "We're running good. We have fast race cars. We're doing everything we can as a team and just having things like that happen to us," he said.