November 1, 2010
By Matthew Pizzolato
Matthew Pizzolato
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Over the last year or so, there has been widespread speculation that Jeff Gordon may be nearing retirement. Several different factors have given rise to such talk, all of them raising one question about Jeff Gordon. Can he still be competitive in the future?
Jeff Gordon is a NASCAR legend and a future Hall of Famer. With four Championships to his name and 82 race wins, he's accomplished just about all there is to achieve in stock car racing.
His last Championship came in 2001 under the old style point format. Then NASCAR instituted the Chase for the Championship and it would seem that Gordon has been snake bit ever since. His most ardent fans like to harp on the fact that their driver would have two more Championships on his resume if it weren't for the Chase, but there's no sense in dwelling on the past.
His recent back trouble has been documented in the media. At one point, his back was giving him trouble in the racecar. However, Gordon says that it's improved, but not completely.
"It's still an issue. As soon as the season is over, I'm still going to get an MRI [magnetic resonance imaging test] and see where I'm at. But I've been able to work through it to where I don't feel like it's affecting my performance in the car," Gordon was quoted as saying in a Joe Menzer article on nascar.com. "It still is lingering and it's there and I want to take care of it -- but at this point, I'm just a little stiff when I get out of the car; I'm not in the car and cringing when I'm pushing on the brake pedal."
Another factor that has some wondering about possible retirement for Gordon is the fact that he is not winning as often as he did earlier in his career.
Two seasons ago in 2008 was the first time Gordon went an entire season without winning a race since his rookie year in the sport. He won just one race in 2009 and going into Talladega, he has yet to win this season. In his last 103 races, Gordon has managed to post just one win.
While Gordon runs well enough to qualify for the Chase, he seems to be lacking what it takes to win another Championship. As if maybe he has lost a step. Will he ever be able to put it together and win another title?
It would appear that his teammate and one time protégé, Jimmie Johnson, will win Championship Number five long before Gordon.
While he has a lifetime contract with Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon made a comment regarding his future at a press conference to announce a new sponsorship deal with AARP.
"I definitely told them I'm good to go for five years," Gordon was quoted as saying in a David Newton article on espn.com. "I'm a race car driver. I don't plan that far ahead."
"With sponsors you have to make that commitment, and I certainly have. I hope I feel like I do today five years from now. I don't want to stop racing. The only reason I want to stop racing is because I don't think I'm competitive enough to go out there and enjoy it. That's the only reason I'll walk out."
His long time sponsor Dupont recently scaled back their involvement, leaving the 24 team hurting for sponsorship in a less than favorable economy.
The new deal with AARP will have Gordon fully sponsored for the next three years, so he'll have at least that long to shoot for another Championship.
That is, if his back doesn't start giving him trouble again.
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