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NASCAR's best active driver may be ready to leave
With a week to go before the Chase, NASCAR's most accomplished active driver — the best of his era — seems an oddly forgotten man. But Gordon knows of what he speaks — the sanctity of enmity, the blessing bestowed by epic antagonism. Drivers don't have to hate each other, but it's best if their fans do.
"Those things are important," he said. "Dale and I had that. I was just a kid driving the wheels off the car, but he recognized the entertainment value of it."
More than seven years have passed since Dale Earnhardt Sr. died on the last lap of the Daytona 500, and 13 years since Gordon beat him out for the first of his four championships. They were near-perfect antagonists: the good old boy in black and the clean-cut kid from Indianapolis by way of California. Racing hasn't replaced Earnhardt, but then, neither has Gordon.
"I miss racing with him and the excitement it brought," he said. "Well, not so much with him, because sometimes he was a real pain in the butt on the track. But he was so good for the sport and I miss him so much. You know, just walking through the garage area and having him come up and grab you by the neck. Little things like that. Or looking up in your mirror and seeing him pushing your rear bumper and being mad about it. But also, laughing about it later."
Perhaps, years from now, Busch, 23, and Edwards, 29, will recall their rivalry just as wistfully. Or maybe, what they shared was just a single Sunday. Whatever the case, their futures remain unformed. Most of Gordon's career, though, is now behind him.
"I know that those years are winding down," he said. "I want to win another championship, and I think we can win another championship."
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I think? In the five years since NASCAR went to the Chase format, Gordon is Cup-less. What's more, both the driver and the team have had problems adjusting to what is still euphemistically referred to as "the new car."
"Cars change, technology changes," he said. "It happens to everybody. It's not that I can't adapt to the new car, it's just going to take a little longer than a younger guy."
Still, currently ranked 10th, Gordon has his chance at winning another Cup this season. What he can't do, however, is change his history. It is what it is. He's 37, and won't be racing much past 40. He won't find another rival like Earnhardt, nor will he break the record of seven cups shared by Earnhardt and Richard Petty, both of whom were grizzled veterans by the time they became household names.
Gordon can detect the changes in his body. He does more bicycling to keep in cardiovascular shape. He's sure to keep hydrated. He needs to stretch every morning.
"I used to just get in the car and go, pop right back the following day," he said. "Now it takes me a day and a half to recover from some of these races."
All the stretching in the world won't do much to prolong his time as a racer. But Gordon is OK with that: "Nineteen, twenty years in this sport at this level is a great, great career."
Earnhardt died at 49. Petty retired at 55. Earnhardt won four Cups between ages 39 and 43. Petty won at 35, 37, 38 and 42. But Gordon — with four cups — remains unmoved by these figures.
"Guys have gone 'til they're 50," he said, "but they didn't start racing until they were 30. There's a big difference."
Besides, he added, "the sport has changed. You're not going to win any championships when you're 50. You're just not."
Having been behind a wheel since he was five, Gordon was NASCAR's version of a child star. He's also a model for younger drivers like Busch and Edwards who seem to have been driving professionally since the onset of puberty. Gordon made his debut in the old Busch series in 1991. He was 20. Racing is all he knows. If not a driver, what might he have been? He doesn't really have an answer.
"I'd have been screwed," he said. "I don't know. I probably would've worked for my step-dad. They had a machine-shop business. I probably would've gone to college and pursued something that could've helped them out."
Retirement, if that's what you want to call it, will afford him a chance he's never had. "I've created some great opportunities outside of racing," he said.
Maybe he'll replace Regis, the television host for whom he occasionally fills in. Or maybe not. "I don't plan on living in New York City and doing a show five days a week," he said. "I've been traveling my whole life. I don't think I'll be able to just stop traveling altogether."
Nothing is set. But his daughter, Ella, is a year old. "I want to see her grow up," he said. "I want to drive her to school."
That is his only sure-fire plan. And there's only one way to screw it up. "If I race 'til I'm 50," he said. "Then I'll have been a failure."
Member Comments
I totally agree with kahl1. It is like NASCAR doesn't want Jeff Gordon to win another championship. They are completely robbing not only Jeff Gordon but other great drivers of a championship by keeping up with this stupid Race for the Chase - ridiculous! Don't give up Jeff, you are one of the best!
SMD759/9/2008 12:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I love how you guys all WANT to get JG to get out of racing. you forget that under the old point standings he would already have 6 champianships NOT 4 Nascar came up with the CHASE for just that reason they did not want JG to have more then 7 that is the main reason for the suckchase.
kahl19/9/2008 8:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Gordon should really retire at the end of THIS season...face it...his talent level has slipped precipitously and he doesn't really have his heart in it anymore. Even his place as NASCAR's pre-eminent whiner has been usurped by Kyle Busch... Go home Jeff...we won't miss you....
GreggStudly9/9/2008 6:51:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Hey Mark Kriegel, I have both books, I really liked the book about Pistol Pete, but I was really disappointed with Namath, beautiful cover and pictures but the story bored the hell out of me, Namath was a wild man, and you glossed over all of that.
Firefly19/8/2008 18:41:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
My avatar before my Walter Payton avatar was Jeff Gordon, I do have good taste in men. lol<br /><br />Tony Stewart, I had a boyfriend in my teens that had lips like Tony, best make-out session I ever had.<br /><br />Elliot Sadler.. grrrrrrrrrrr sexy !!!<br /><br />Jim Johnson, drop dead gorgeous.<br /><br />Robert DiNero, yummmy, my hubby looks like him. lol
Firefly19/8/2008 18:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Jeff Gordon is a #1 class act, always was and always will be.
Firefly19/8/2008 18:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
hello,<br /> i dont think you know what you are talking about. why would anyone ask such a stupid question? jeff has been screwed out of 2 championships so far because of the chase which is retarded to have started it and another thing is the stupid cars now and the cheap ass tires that has been going on for at least 2years. who decided to change the cars? did the drivers have any say in it or was it because of the idiot they have running nascar? its a joke , the racing is mostly boring, and as for people saying sooner the better, its because who they cheer for cant beat jeff. oh 1 more thing why did hendricks sign bagass martin he did not that old has been on our team, you have got to put young drivers in there, not some old wrinkled up has been give it up martin, you dont have what it takes to keep up with our young guns now do u? jeff gordon is the best and will be the best for years to come and way after that.
tburch_249/8/2008 13:37:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I use to hate every breath Jeff Gordon took.then i got older.I'm not his biggestfan but now i appreciate how good he was and is and how much he meant to NASCAR.HE IS A CHAMPION.End of story.
ailems9/7/2008 20:20:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Jeff has become a welcome veteran, I used to boo him from the stands along with many others. But after all he did come up on the midwest dirt turning right in Sprint Cars, how bad could he actually be. I always appreciated his talent even if I resented it. Now Jimmie Johnson is Just plain bad for Stock Car Racing. He comes straight from Cullyfornia and from off road racing of all places. We need a new Intimidator to put the 48 in the wall week in and week out.
konggpau9/7/2008 15:31:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Stay with it Jeff. Afew more years aint sh!t on the body. Stay Tough.
Robster_249/7/2008 14:17:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Like "archangel1958", I used to detest Jeff Gordon but with time, there has come a realization of not only his talent but how much he has added to our chosen sport. Jeff is one of the reasons NASCARS popularity has grown as it has and he should be given the credit he is due. I hope he does step aside when he wants to and isn't forced to because of a "fading star" kind of situation but I suspect that I won't have to worry about that either.<br />Thanks Jeff for all you have brought to the sport and I wish you and yours all that is good.
Sanbar39/7/2008 14:09:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
..cheers 4 a GREAT vote total! Big E is happy with the fans for their grasp of RACING....I'm a sexy big black beauty, I feel lonely... What I really need is some new friends, Feel free to chat with me on "B l a c k W h i t e K i s s . c o m" where i upload my photos and many black or white singles seeking love online.
Larissae9/7/2008 12:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Jeff is quite possibly the best ever in motor-sports. He's in the top 5 in everybody's book. His ability to adapt to diferent cars and tracks is unsurpassed. He is a gentleman ana a great representitive of the sport. He was the first of the 'young' drivers, before him 30 was young. Where would guys like Logano or Busch be without Jeff, SITTING in the stands. I've been a NASCAR fan since the 60's and regard Jeff Gordon as the guy who set the bar SO high. <br />Race a few more years, then go live the life you so richly deserve. Although you might want to consider Pro Stock drag-racing. A few 6 second runs a day. There are 60 year olds that are still competitive. <br /><br />Just a thought.<br />Thanks, Jeff, you've made the last 15 years alot more enjoyable for me. Ella Gordon, NASCAR Champion 2028, you never know.
noraceindenver9/7/2008 11:28:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'll hold the door open if someone will put a boot in his arse to make him move faster. The sooner the better........
dcee589/7/2008 7:59:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I gotta tell ya Jeff, I can't stand You, or that 24 car, or those 7 championships you stole, bought off, whatever you did to get em. I hate everytime you ever passed an Earnhardt, And i don't like your TV commercials either! ............However, When i'm NOT watching a race, Reality sets in, And your a helluva driver, a fine man, a great ambassador for the sport we love, And most of all, An excellent role model to our youth. You race as long as YOU want too. I sure would like to fuss at you on Ssturday nights and Sunday afternoons, for a Long time yet. Stay safe, Be well.
archangel19589/7/2008 4:59:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Jeff has won the championships, as made the big money, has had the big wreacks. Now Jeff Gordon has the beryy beryy good looking wife, a new bambieno, dont need the money, dont need the fame. Point is he might not be as hungry for racing as he used to be
runwhatyabrung9/7/2008 3:58:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Just more Kriegel drivel. There is no way J.G. is going to retire until he passes D.W. for 85 career wins -that could be awhile. Kriegel likes to do hype journalism - just make up a HYPE HEADLINE and proceed with the self serving drivel.
24Hours9/6/2008 22:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think if he won alot of races like last year...he would not be talking retirement.
john300k9/6/2008 16:39:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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