Jeff Gordon's Back Continues to Hurt

In one of the best statistical finds of the weekend, ThatsRacin's Jim Utter noted during his race preview for Saturday night's race that each of the three longest winless streaks of Jeff Gordon's career were followed up by two consecutive wins.

That trend ended brutally Saturday night at Phoenix International Raceway.

But despite a disappointing night filled with tire rubs and pit road problems that led to a 25th-place finish, should the No. 24 team have something more important -- like the health of their driver -- to worry about later in 2009?

Gordon started fourth and looked to continue Hendrick Motorsports' winning ways himself Saturday night [of course, his teammate Mark Martin stretched the HMS winning streak at PIR to five] but, as mentioned, numerous problems stopped that quest.

After the race, Gordon cited the pit road errors as a problem. Those on-track problems, though, weren't the only thing holding up the No. 24.

"It just wasn't our night. We struggled," said Gordon. "I haven't been feeling good this weekend. My back is hurting. When you're feeling like that, you can't really give good information and feedback to the team."

This isn't the first time we've heard that Gordon's back has been an ailment to him, but in the few times he's mentioned it during interviews and press conferences in 2009, it's mostly been referred to as a problem in the past tense or one that slowed him in 2008.

But now, we've heard that the pain might be affecting him on-track in the here and now.

It's not a great time, either, to be facing some back issues as a NASCAR driver seeing as the season is hitting stretch where the next 12 weekends will have racing action and eight of the 36 races have been completed.

Certainly back issues can be a hindrance to on-track performance because the pain often just simply doesn't go away and the movements required in a race car can be taxing over the course of a race.

Of course, this problem might be just a small blip on Gordon's otherwise excellent season so far, but without a doubt it's got to be a slight cause for concern.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-21-2009 @ 2:48PM

Don Emerson said...

Oh no....Jeffey, you're a winner, not a whiner. Poor Jeff, between driving his butt off week after week, and trying to father a child for his buddy Jimmie and his wife, no wonder his back is hurting. Then too, his wife is bigger than him and that has to be a strain at times too. My advice....tell Jimmie about artificial insemination, quit letting Ingrid get on top, and try using softer springs and shocks on his race car. Works for me.....

4-21-2009 @ 4:28PM

illsell4u said...

Don, if you had a hot wife and a bottle of Viagra your back would hurt too. I am sure your comments are due to being jealous of him having the hot little strumpet. Who wouldn't be jealous of Jeffy? Best active record in Nascar by a mile. One of the hottest wives in Nascar. Has earned over $100,000,000 in the last 17 years. I'm jealous too!!
mbl

4-21-2009 @ 6:27PM

Kim said...

Jeez, Don....take your head out of the gutter for once!

Cronic back pain is nothing to sneeze at. I have suffered from it my whole life. Over the past few years, after having children, it worsened and my spine was crooking about an 1/8 of an inch every other month. I had surgery in December to relieve the pain. It has been such a blessing to no longer wake up with back pain and go to bed with pain.

Jeff isn't whining. In fact, he's doing everything he can to get rid of his back pain. It was reported in another article that he has a personal trainer working with him on his back issues. I wish him well. It can't be easy to drive one of those cars at 200 miles per hour week in and week out with a bad back.

And as for Ingrid, she is GORGEOUS! Heck, I am a woman and I am jealous!!!!

Good luck, Jeff!

Kim

4-21-2009 @ 9:41PM

MARK said...

What is it about all the punks out there that continually bad mouth Jeff and now Jimmy??
They are flat out the best drivers currently, and they just plain get it right.
Jr is a real punk, and his daddy knew the end was in sight, and his BOY is not worth the dribble down his daddy's leg....if you know what I mean.

4-22-2009 @ 2:50AM

nzcr14 said...

JEFF GOD ON, I MEAN GORDON HAS BEEN COMPLAINTING about back pain for a long time even before hottie INGRID came in the picture.
I'M SURPRISED THAT dododo24 blogger hasn't popped on THIS jg blog yet.Get ready to get slammed whoever anti GORDON FAN.

4-23-2009 @ 6:33AM

NASCARMAN9424 said...

HURTING BACK OR NOT, JEFF GORDON WILL CONTINUE TO WIN.ANYBODY WHO THINKS OTHERWISE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT NASCAR.

4-24-2009 @ 9:22AM

lee lewis said...

go jeff

4-24-2009 @ 12:43PM

Kelly said...

JEFF IS THE MAN! And yeah you all got it right they are JEALOUS! And alot of the bad mouthers would WET themselves doing what he does.

4-24-2009 @ 10:49PM

iceladyvic said...

All I can say is, Jeff Gordon is a Great Person and I wish him , his wife and baby all the best in the world. I just hope he has a good Doctor that know's what exactly is going on with his back. Thank you...

4-29-2009 @ 6:39AM

IceLadyVic said...

Go Jeff Gordon, and may your prayers get answered about your medical condition.God Bless you and your Family....Gooooooo Gordon #24

4-24-2009 @ 11:18PM

Cindy said...

I have followed jeff's career since World of Outlaws as he was born 10 miles from my hometown Saw him race and beat men olderthan him A smiling boy smiling after a win or smiling when there was no win. He is the true motorsport gentleman all the jealous ones it doesn't bother him he has his dreams gorgeous wife, a typical little girl with alot of Jeff in her perfect all the way around sweet but that also smile that daddy gets keep it up Jeff you have the world that people are jealous of. You will get back on top and soon!

4-29-2009 @ 4:45PM

MISSY said...

I have been a fan of Jeff Gordon for over 13 years. I have also suffered sciatica for about 8 years the pain will immobilize you for days or even weeks. I cant imagine driving a car going over 180 mph week after week with the pain. Jeff Gordon has always a bad rap from from certain driver fans. He has accomplished so much in his Nascar career and for that he should be commended.
I cant help but laugh when I see fans of Earnhardt and Stewart bad mouthing Jeff. What have they actually accomplished behind the wheel. Earnhardt is just popular because of his father and Stewart is nothing but a poor sport looser every time he looses its always someones fault like his pit crew,someone bumped him made him spin its never his fault. Jeff is a gracious winner and looser and I hope everything works out for Jeff,his family and The #24 team.he is in my thoughts and prayers.

5-19-2009 @ 4:55PM

jpswede said...

It is so painfully obvious to my entire family that Jeff Gordon's mental acuity and physical skills have diminished greatly in the last 2 years (as evidenced by his frequent wrecks and DNF's). He just doesn't have the skill or the guts to win races anymore, let alone another championship. And it really seems like he is distracted a lot - I'm sure it's from thinking about his back pain, his wife, his daughter, etc. And to top it all off, he has an idiot for a crew chief who can't seem to keep him out of the middle of the pack and who has made some of the stupidist calls I've ever seen. Combine all of these factors together and they make Jeff an even worse driver. JEFF, IT IS TIME TO RETIRE NOW! You have been great for Nascar but stop trying to hang on and just drive around in circles, without a chance of winning, like Kyle Petty and other similar drivers do week after week. Retire, find something else to do, and enjoy your life and family!

5-19-2009 @ 5:07PM

He just doesn't have the nerve or killer instinct to really compete anymore :(.