Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Never said he was old but at 39 he is past his prime.
I don't buy that either. There is no reason why he shouldn't have the same equipment or better then JJ or anyone else out there. That leaves one conclusion that is impossible to confirm or deny...he just doesn't care anymore.
Let's be honest here, the guy has been racing for what, 35 of those 39 years? He's probably sick and tired of it. If that's the case, it's a shame, because he was (maybe still is) on pace for at least second in all time wins. I don't think that's the case, but who knows.
JG suffers from the same problem that ended the careers of, DW, Rusty, Dale Jarrett, Bill Elliot and now Mark Martin. Auto racing especially Nascar Sprint Cup is now a young mans game.
The difference being several of those named were not competitive at all in their waning years. Gordo is still competitive, his standing in the points demonstrates that.
For a good part of the race in Michigan, it looked like the Jeff Gordon of old....starting from the back and racing up to 2nd place at one point, until a crazy restart and a flat tire did him in.
I chalk that up as bad luck. Get it out of your system now Jeff.
You can also look at it as Jeff is starting to peak at the right time. It really was a great performance by him and his crew. Hopefully a sign of things to come in the next dozen races.
I have been a big 24 fan for a long time, and I think it is a combination of some small things when added together are the result.
First is his age. He is beyond his prime years for driving. Still young enough to be very good, but the reflexes have slowed down a little. That adds to the challenge but is not the sole reason.
Besides that, I do not think the COT suits his driving style. When it first appeared, he had very few kind things to say about it's handling. It seems like the most successful drivers are the ones who like very loose racecars with the COT. Gordon seems to prefer a tight car, but that isn't necessarily the fastest way around the track.
Luck. This year, he could easily have at least 3 wins. Maybe more. He was taken out of two races he could have won with strategy. He blew one on a green-white-checker restart. I think he was destined to win Michigan too, which was one heck of a drive from the back for him, until he hurt the car on the restart and could not recover.
By most standards, he is having a terrific year. 2nd in points, top 5's and top 10's. What is noticable is the lack of wins which stands out for a driver ranked 6th all time in wins.
It would have been nice for Jeff to have one or two wins prior to the start of the Chase for those bonus points.
But what I've noticed is that in order to win the Championship, you need to start peaking at the right time. It's hard to tell with Jeff, but he has had some good runs in the past few races, Michigan for one.
Maybe Jeff will be like the Boston Celtics...they didn't look that hot at the end of the season, but then they turned on the turbo chargers and kicked some booty in the post season to win the Championship.
Along with some luck, it's all about momentum and peaking at just the right time.
Jeff's chances at being a 5-time champ are running out, like the previous poster stated, age is not doing Jeff a favor when he is behind the wheel of a race car.
Jeff's chances at being a 5-time champ are running out, like the previous poster stated, age is not doing Jeff a favor when he is behind the wheel of a race car.
without the stupid chase format he'd have won 2 more champs. already, that's a fact.
without the stupid chase format he'd have won 2 more champs. already, that's a fact.
to me he's in principle a 6 time champion.
And JJ would have none. Didn't someone figure that one up?
Here's a conspiracy for you; what if the Chase was started to prevent Gordon from getting to 7 or 8 titles? Just playing conspiracy theory.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
