'08 Rear-View Mirror: Jeff Gordon

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Warning: Objects in this post may be the only way to successfully live through the NASCAR off-season. For best results, read rearview mirror early and often.

Driver: Jeff Gordon
Team: No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
'08 Final Standing: 7th (-368)
Best Race: Martinsville & Texas (2nd)
Worst Race: Texas (43rd-place)

Season in a box: After a NASCAR-record 30 Top-10 finishes in 2007 including an impressive performance in the Car of Tomorrow chassis, Jeff Gordon's outlook for 2008 had to be a lot higher than a 7th-place finish in the final standings in addition to his first winless season since 1993.

Gordon looked strong in the season-opening Daytona 500 until a suspension failure started a season chock full of mid-pack race cars, a few missed setups and a few doses of untimely luck. Easily the low point of the season came when Gordon's car was so terrible that he dropped to last, got lapped, and finally crashed out at the season's first race at Texas Motor Speedway.

As always, Gordon turned in solid performances on the short tracks, but after a mid-season run filled with mediocre finishes, the team gained some heavy momentum heading in to the 2009 run thanks to number of consistent Chase finishes. The team was bit by a 38th-place result at Talladega thanks to a crash and a blown engine accounted for a 41st-place finish, but the eight other Chase races say 7 Top-10s and a 14th-place finish.

Through the crystal windshield: Despite many fans becoming more critical of crew chief Steve Letarte as Gordon's 2008 season looked less and less championship-worthy, Gordon has chosen to stand behind Letarte. Gordon, perhaps, remembers that just a year ago he was coming off a season that would have won a championship over anyone had some guy named Jimmie Johnson not been around.

The No. 24 struggled the most this season at the 1.5 to 2-mile tracks with the new car, but there were obvious gains made in that department late in the season. Together with some fuel mileage gambling by Letarte, this team looks to be moving in the right direction in 2009.

Next up: Jeff Burton

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

1-05-2009 @ 11:23AM

racingphan said...

Jeffy has no feel for the COT's. His time has passed.

1-12-2009 @ 11:05AM

missy said...

I guess we could say the same thing about Dale Jr. He hasn't won anything either so he is past his prime too

1-05-2009 @ 10:54PM

glynnracing79 said...

another clueless fool.how can you say he has no feel for the cot?there were 16 cot races in 07.4 wins,11 top 5's and 15 top 10's.6 poles.12 top 10 starting spots.in 08,13 top 5's,19 top 10's.4 poles and a ton of dnf's.and 7th in points.yea you are right,he has no feel for the cot.dumb ass.try watching nascar.

1-06-2009 @ 8:43AM

GrumpyOldMan said...

No wins in '08. Period. It's okay to still cheer for someone after their time has passed though. It's cute sometimes to see you little Jeffy fans all dressed up in all those bright colors. Almost like a Rainbow Coalition.

1-06-2009 @ 7:45PM

yea,his time has past.just last year he broke how many records?well i know of three off hand,he beat dale sr win record,he beat dale sr plate race record,and a nascar record 30 top tens.yep you are right,time has passed him.fool

1-07-2009 @ 8:52AM

I can't believe you just signed your comment with the name fool. Go put on your official Jeff Gordon brand tutu and float off to the ballet forum.

1-12-2009 @ 6:34PM

JIM OBRIEN said...

HEY OLD MAN, DALE SR IS GONE AND A PETTY HASNT WON A RACE IN DECADES. GET OVER IT.WHOS YOUR BOY? IF JEFF SHOULD NEVER WIN ANOTHER RACE ,HES PROBABLY BETTER THAN ANYONE YOU ROOT FOR. AND YES I STILL HAVE A NICE RAINBOW WARRIER JACKET IN THE CLOSET

1-08-2009 @ 3:29AM

dustin said...

jeff gordon will win 2009

1-08-2009 @ 7:55AM

tom said...

All of you losers can say what you want about gordon but in the end he has lived a life of fast cars , women and filthy Rich so keep talkin trash but in your mind you know you wish you were him . Now go back to reading your national enquirer and turn the heat up in your trailer.

1-09-2009 @ 6:17AM

nascarman9424 said...

jeff gordon can and will win another championship.

1-09-2009 @ 10:59AM

The Butcher said...

Jeff's wrists got a lot limper last year.

1-10-2009 @ 2:20PM

George Keys said...

Jeff Gordon will win the Championship this coming year! I predict he wins 8 races with the Championship. 2009 is Jeffs!

1-11-2009 @ 7:53PM

Brenda G said...

I was so sad when Jeff Gordon did not win a race in 2008 but I have got a feeling my boy is going to make a big come back in 2009. He does need a new crew chief I believe . That would help so much but if he does start doing good with Letarte I eat my Jeff Gordon hat. Good Luck Jeff.

1-12-2009 @ 2:00PM

moshiem6 said...

just keep up hope jeff fans i aint goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooojeff

1-13-2009 @ 12:42AM

why does everyone think jeff's crew chief is the reason for a no win season?in 07 jeff had a nascar record breaking 30 top 10's, 21 top 5's 6 wins and 7 poles.....all with steve as a crew chief.and 08 wasnt a terrible year,just no wins.he still had a top 10 car.look at everyone else racing last year,everyone but jimmie,carl and kyle sucked.denny,tony,matt,greg,kurt,ryan,kevin werent impressive at all.it was a tough year dealing with the new car.give steve a chance.jeff had how many dnf's last year?crashes,blown motors,broken parts and so on.he was top 5 in points till the motor blew at phoenix.there are 30 plus other drivers that would of loved to have the season that jeff had.you cant win them all.

1-13-2009 @ 5:59PM

DA24JG said...

....."We Shall See My Friends Whether JG Can Still Do It! A Big Surprise Is Coming Your Way Nascar Fans...." ;-)

1-14-2009 @ 8:18AM

mollyg09 said...

okay seriously Jeff is an amazing driver and puts hit heart into this... he try's his hardest.... oh well if he didn't get any wins he still came in 2nd and so close to first.... and it doesn't matter what position you come in as long as toy try your hardest and you feel good about yourself on what you had did that day... got it... good... i think Gordon is the best driver in the world and he is my favorite driver in the world.... the next would be jimmy Johnson... i would rather be known as a Gordon fan then a dale jr. fan any day. get it, got it, good.

1-14-2009 @ 10:43AM

Bubba said...

Maybe Jeff should have taken a look at going with Tony's new race team. I don't know that he is getting the time, attention or equipment that is needed for winning. Change is not always a bad thing.

1-14-2009 @ 3:12PM

warlock400 said...

KYLE the man ,
He will win the most this year
Dont count on jeff or jimmie,
Alot of new comers are in the mixed.
Carl is the sleeper so look out.
I dont care who wins as long as they come out alive.
That COT CAR is a death trap.
Some one is going to get killed you watch and see.
If they dont fix it soon,As far as NASCAR the money is all they are thinking about.

1-14-2009 @ 8:30PM

Bob said...

You would have to be deaf and blind to not realize that Jeff Gordon was the runaway champion just one season ago, until a lightning bolt named Johnson flew in from nowhere to snatch it from Jeff at the last second. Washed up? Hardly! He will be a contender for many more years, and he has a lot of wins yet to come. Whether he wins another championship or not (and I believe he has at least one more coming), he will ALWAYS be one of the greatest drivers NASCAR has ever seen--even Dale Sr. knew Gordon was a special talent.

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