2011 Jeff Gordon #24 DuPont 5 Hour Energy 500 Pocono Raced Win Version 1:24 NASCAR Diecast

Jeff Gordon moved into a tie for third on NASCAR’s Sprint Cup career victories list, winning for the 84th time when he took the checkered flag Sunday at Pocono Raceway. His 84 wins tie him with Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip for most in Cup history, and he tied Bill Elliott with five wins on the 2 1/2 -mile triangle track.

“There’s no doubt, I’m blown away with what I’ve accomplished,” Gordon said.

Gordon won in February at Phoenix International Raceway and has multiple victories in a season for the first time since 2007. Gordon’s victory at Phoenix ended his drought at 66 races without a win. This 11-race winless stretch was just a blip compared to that miserable skid.

This victory was a bit more special for Gordon, who turns 40 in August. His first order of business once he hopped out of the car was a kiss from his daughter, Ella. Gordon’s wife and two children are his greatest gift. But the pairing he needed most was with Hendrick Motorsports crew chief Alan Gustafson. Team owner Rick Hendrick’s offseason decision to shake up his organization has proved an overall success—he also placed Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the top-six at Pocono.

Gordon and Gustafson have the No. 24 Chevrolet in fantastic shape for a spot in the Chase for the championship. “You hear the questions, ‘Is he the greatest? Where does he rank?”’ Gustafson said. “I can tell you, he’s pretty damn good.”

Gordon is known in the sport as “Four-Time” because of the Cup titles he won in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001. Wins have been harder to get for Gordon as his career stretches into its 20th season. He posted winless seasons in 2008 and 2010 and, even in the years he qualified for the Chase, was never a true threat to bring home the title.

“We were living at the peak of the mountain there for a number of years,” Gordon said. “It was awesome. When you’re there, you know you’re going to get knocked off eventually. You can’t always stay on top.” Johnson, once his protege and late-night running buddy, surpassed Gordon and has won the past five championships. The race on the mountaintop belonged to Gordon. Gordon entered the race having led a record 918 laps at Pocono Raceway. He added 39 to the total Sunday.