Gordon not happy with NASCAR, Kenseth

A third-place finish isn't bad but it wasn't good enough for Jeff Gordon on Monday. Gordon left Martinsville frustrated after it looked like he was about to win for the eighth time at this track _ but first since 2005.

Gordon was headed for the white flag when Kyle Busch's spin into the wall brought out the caution just before Gordon started the last lap. NASCAR's rule is that if the leader has started the final lap, there can be no attempt at a green-white-checkered finish. If the leader hasn't started that final lap, then you can have a GWC restart.

With his first victory in nearly a year in front of him, Gordon, understandably did not like NASCAR's call to throw the caution.

"It was pretty obvious to me NASCAR wanted to do a green-white-checkered finish. There were cars blowing tires, hitting the wall, they weren't throwing the caution. One spins out and they threw the caution in the blink of an eye. I think it was pretty obvious what they wanted.''