Nascar Race Today

Following a penalty that dropped Denny Hamlin out of the lead, Jeff Gordon has taken control of the Duck Commander 500.

It is Jeff Gordon leading at the halfway point of the rain-delayed Duck Commander 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Gordon is trying to win his first race of the season, which would virtually assure him entry into NASCAR's Chase for the Sprint Cup. Running second is Kyle Busch, who won the spring Texas race last year, followed by Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer and Joey Logano. Rookie Kyle Larson has quietly worked his way into the sixth position.

Denny Hamlin had been leading when, during a routine green-flag pit stop on Lap 143, he was caught for speeding. He was forced to re-enter pit road and fell to 15th, a lap down to Busch, who assumed the lead. A later caution for debris put Hamlin back on the lead lap in ninth place.

Kevin Harvick (engine failure) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (accident) each fell out of the race and will finish 42nd and 43rd, respectively.