Jeff Gordon wins the 2014 Pure Michigan 400 at Michigan International Speedway

Jeff Gordon’s first crack at race leader Joey Logano wasn’t successful, so when another opportunity presented itself, Gordon capitalized to win the Pure Michigan 400 Sunday at Michigan International Speedway.

Lined up to the inside of Logano on the deciding restart with 17 laps to go, Gordon outmuscled Logano through Turns 1 and 2. Gordon then solidified his position by driving deep into Turn 3, putting distance between himself and the pack.

“That last restart was it,” Gordon said. “We had the car to win. Our car was amazing. But whoever got out in front had such a huge advantage. I got a good restart and Kevin (Harvick), for some reason, wasn’t getting good restarts, so Joey was sort of out there by himself and I was able to get to his (rear) quarter (panel). When I got to his quarter, I dragged him back and I was able to shoot to the bottom and get by.”

On the previous restart, Logano drew the ire of Gordon when he slowed the pace coming to the green flag and then got the jump on the four-time series champion. Gordon vented to his team regarding Logano’s tactics, and with a second chance knew he would have to be more aggressive.

Good to his word, Gordon followed through and seized the lead, which he would not relinquish.

“I had a bunch of good (restarts). The last one wasn’t the greatest,” Logano said. “I should have pulled down in front of (Gordon) and got the draft, but he got up next to me and pulled me back so hard that I couldn’t get away from him. He was able to get position on me into (Turn 1) and once he got that clean air ... one too many restarts.”

The win was Gordon’s third of the season and the 91st of his career. Kevin Harvick finished second followed by Logano in third, Paul Menard fourth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. fifth. Gordon ties Earnhardt, Brad Keselowski and Jimmie Johnson with a series-best three victories.

“I just needed a couple of laps for my tires to come in and all of a sudden we were out front and setting sail and the checkered flag was waving,” Gordon said. “This is just unbelievably awesome. This is fantastic.”

Eight cautions slowed the action for 37 laps. Among them was a multi-car incident involving Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth, Trevor Bayne and others on Lap 25 that began when Patrick broke loose and spun mid-pack. And the most spectacular wreck saw rookie Kyle Larson cut a tire and slam the wall two laps short of halfway. In the aftermath, the No. 42 car erupted into flames.

All drivers escaped injury Sunday.

With the victory, Gordon moves back ahead of Earnhardt in the championship standings. He leads his Hendrick Motorsports teammate by three points with three regular season races remaining.