Jeff Gordon ran a very respectable third on Saturday night in the Dodge Challenger 500 at Darlington Raceway. The only problem, though, was that Joe Gibbs Racing's Kyle Busch was much, much faster and cruised away with the win for the third time in 2008 to tie Carl Edwards for the most this year.
It was Gordon's highest finish since his third-place result at California in February and showed that the extensive testing work that Hendrick Motorsports' teams have combined to do has started to pay some dividends for the new race car.
It still, in Gordon's mind, wasn't enough:
"I wish I wasn't so darn competitive because you have no idea," said Gordon. "I am happy that we have a top-five and we are third, but also how frustrated I am because of how far off we are from winning races right now. We did the tire test here at Darlington and the No. 18 just kicked everybody's tails tonight."Tails kicked, indeed.
Four of the 2008 season's first 11 races have gone to Joe Gibbs Racing and just one to Hendrick by way of Jimmie Johnson's win at Phoenix. Stats like that are a far cry from 2007 when Hendrick picked up seven wins up this point a year ago.
Sure, a handful of Hendrick's early season wins in 2007 came with some good racing luck, but for Gordon to be winless after 11 races has to bring an amount of frustration. And unlike 2007, Gordon has struggled significantly with consistency after numerous parts failures and bad suspension setups.
At this point last year, Gordon held the highest point lead anyone had ever amassed after 11 races. This year, he sits 10th in points, well over 300 points from the lead.
For Gordon, the numbers and way his cars have handled in 2008 haven't lied, and he understands the need to improve. By the team the whirlwind season reaches the Chase for the Championship in September, I'm expecting No. 24 and the rest of the Hendrick team to be much closer to top of their game.
An knock-em-down all-out fight for the championship sounds pretty good to me with the likes Hendrick's Earnhardt Jr., Gordon, and Johnson competing with Joe Gibbs Racing, Roush's Carl Edwards, and the Chevrolet's from Richard Childress Racing.
Bring on the Chase, but more immediately, bring on Charlotte.
ADVERTISEMENT
_thumbnail.jpg "NASCAR Cowboy Hats")
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. A couple of times this year Gordon has started with a terrible car, and yet was able to get a good finish due to changes made to the car during the race. That's the result of having a crew chief who knows his craft. In this constantly changing sport, a crew chief has to be up on the latest information and find new ways to improve the cars performance. Of course some race setups are so bad that nothing cam be done to help the situation during the race. This, to me, indicates a crew chief who may be stuck in the old " that's the way we've always done it mode ". This situation may exist with Jr's crew chief Tony Eury. All season long Jr's car has been just a shade off, and yet Eury can't seem to help Jr out by improving the car during a race. That more than anything else, may be the reason Jr is still winless. It may be time for Jr to put aside his personal feelings and cut Eury loose. Works for me...
Posted at 9:52AM on May 12th 2008 by Don Emerson
2. Correct me if I'm wrong here but isn't this thread about Gordon?
Aloha, Brad
Posted at 10:57AM on May 12th 2008 by Brad
3. I saw the post race interview with JG. You could see the frustration in his face and hear it in his words at not being where he was last year at this same point. I know it bothers him but I am not really sure why. He should have learned something from the previous years of the Chase. Getting a huge points lead means nothing if you do not continue to dominate the last ten races. Keep testing and testing for the rest of the first 26 races if that is what it takes. But come Chase time, be prepared to win or go home. Jeff had an incredible year last year during the regular season and during the chase. However, Jimmie Johnson was a fenom during the chase and took home his second cup in a row. I said last year that the chase format, just like any other sports playoff, favors the teams that peak at the end of the season, not the beginning or the middle. They may as well throw out the points as it is in a few weeks and just rank the drivers by wins. That is what it is going to come down to anyways. Right now Jeff you are only 30 points down and in a five way tie. When you look at it like that it doesn't feel so bad.
MBL
Posted at 11:47AM on May 12th 2008 by Mike
4. I see no reason to be cracking on Dale Jr or Tony Jr at this point. 11 races into the season and he is in 3rd place. While I am not the stats expert many may be on little E it is probably the best he has ever been at this point in the season. Were it not for Baby Busch having a break out year Jr would be in second.
I am not sure what it is you are expecting, Don. Not counting the ONE year in which Jr had 6 wins, most of his career he had 2 or 3 wins. That would be one win in every 12-18 races. So, if you look at it that way he is right on schedule for a win this year. Maybe you just need to put the right spin on it.
And I would have to agree with Brad. You did a piss poor job of tying JG and his current problems to Jr. JG is struggling, Jr is having one of the best years of his career points wise. I fail to see the connection.
MBL
Posted at 11:58AM on May 12th 2008 by Mike
5. gordon will be fine hes moved too 10th in point standings now as long as hes there after the 26th race in the top 12 he has a shot at championship
Posted at 7:06PM on May 12th 2008 by johnsnak@aol.com
6. I don't know what is going on at HMS, it's hard to believe their having a tough time of it right now. They have had a bad go of it but are still finishing very strong at the end of most of these races or would they wouldn't be 3rd 6th and 10th in the standings, except for Casey Mears.
GSB driver.
Posted at 8:05PM on May 12th 2008 by Bernie
7. Mike, as you well know, Gordon was in another slump a few years ago. What did he do to get out of it? He went and brought on board a new crew chief, and look at how he has come back. Jr has a great ride and is having a good year so far, except in the win column. I think the wins might come faster and more frequently with a new crew chief. How is it that Steve Letarte can make adjustments on the car during a race to bring Jeff from the rear all the way to the front, while Eury can't seem to fix the car so that Jr can advance a few spots and stay there. Look at the bad pit calls by Tony, and listen to how many times Jr calls for adjustments, with little or no improvement. If Jr and Eury can win two or three races a year with DEI, then why can't they do much better with a new and vastly superior ride. If Eury is such a hot shot crew chief, then he won't have any trouble finding a new job, and perhaps with new guidance Jr might finally satisfy his fans and live up to his potential. Works for me....
Posted at 1:36AM on May 13th 2008 by Don Emerson
8. You make some good points Don but sometimes it comes down to the driver at the end of the race. Some fans need to understand that just because Jr is the MOST POPULAR DRIVER you cannot vote him to suddenly be the BEST or the WINNINGEST driver. I know and understand that many fans and detracters have questioned taking Tony Jr with him. However, when you are having a very good year up until this point, are stitting third in the points, how much do you really want to change? I just do not understand blaming the crew chief at this point. Are you telling me that the crew chief that manages to set up the car so that Jr can run at the front of the pack all race long only to have him finish in 4th at the very end is causing the man to not win? Sorry I am not buying it.
I am not cracking on Jr here but do you really think it is reasonable of anyone to expect the guy to have changed cars and suddenly come out winning 6-10 races this year? Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart average double the number of wins per season as Jr and yet they do not have any wins either. Isn't there just a chance that some people expect too much? I am sorry but fans do not get to vote the driver into the winners circle. The drivers have to drive the car into it themselves.
MBL
Posted at 7:38AM on May 13th 2008 by Mike
9. Didnt gordons car chief switch petty interprises? Wondering if thats the difference?
Posted at 9:23AM on May 13th 2008 by steve
10. I've never stated that Jr was the best driver in the world, but he does have talent behind the wheel. He has made some subtle changes in his driving this year, and is no longer overdriving the car until he wrecks or blows up. One reason Jr is doing so well thus far is that the COT suits Jr's style more so than it does his teammates. The two factors in Jr's not winning a race thus far are bad luck, and the inability of Eury to make the right call at critical moments or to improve the car during a race. Jr is known for his loyalty, but as his frustration grows, don't be surprised if he dumps Eury. Works for me.....
Posted at 10:02AM on May 13th 2008 by Don Emerson
11. Let's put Kyle Busch where he belongs, in the back of the line, he is a good driver, but his personality needs to improve. Jeff Gordon, I'm still rooting for you..Let's get the Job DONE!!! WIN and get those POINTS!!! Thank you, Vicky
Posted at 11:44AM on May 13th 2008 by Vicky
12. Mike, I don't really see what you are driving at. Some fans like drivers because of the heart that beats inside not necessarily how many wins he has. Who trys any harder than Jr. Why do you think his fans have stuck around all these years? It certianly isnt his win column. As for his performance on the track, His team is on top in the HMS barn right now so how can you say in so many words that it's his lack of talent is the reason he can't close the deal. If we grade all HMS teams on the same level what does that say about JJ, and jeff? I realize they are proven champions so whats up with them? I have heard you and others say many times that Jr is no where near the driver as the above two and I am not going to argue that point though I think he is closer than some think. I guess the reason Jr isn't winning is because he lacks the skill and the reason Jeff and JJ aren,t winning is just bad luck. The grading can now be a better indicator since they are all on the same level.
JR is in a much better ride this year and that is the reason he is where he is. Jr has been graded as a sub par driver by you and others on here not taking into consideration the quality of his ride. He is much better than some want to admit and it stings a little to see that for some no matter how well they choose their words so it doesn't appear that way. As far as Tony Jr is concerned, I'm not a big fan as you all know, but it would look rather strange to fire a crewchief when you're running up front most of time and third in points. Hendricks himself said in a interview, that Tony Jr has improved a ton. Time will tell. No matter how good a driver is he can't perform at the top of his game if he is in subpar equipment. Bottom line.
The big problem for HMS as I see it they are not now the top team in this sport at this time and when they can run with the Toyota's they will be a factor. Some teams have a better handle on the COT than others and some drivers who like to drive a loose car are having better results and it shows in the point standings.
I don't see a change at all in Jr's driving style. He's the hard charger he always was but in a better ride. It would be very difficult for a driver to change his style of driving from the getgo in my opinion not to mention DEI has already lost two engines this year. JMO
Ron
Posted at 12:12PM on May 13th 2008 by drgrcr601
13. Let's see. Last year Kyle Bush was in one of the best Chevrolet's in the sport, and he really wasn't very dominant. This year he is driving for a first year Toyota Team(JGR), and he is suddenly dominant. Toyota has put up mega dollars to be competitive, and Nascar is not going to let the more prominent Toyota Teams suffer. It is interesting how Hamlin and Bush have been more impressive than Stewart. Last year some of Tony's frustration with Hamlin stemmed from the fact that Hamlin seemed to be his equal. Now this year both Hamlin and Bush are faster than Smoke; could this be a factor in Tony wanting to leave Gibbs. Money rules Nascar, and Toyota is bringing in lots of money. Go figure...
Posted at 12:52PM on May 13th 2008 by jim lawrence
14. Perhaps it was all bad wording but I was by no means trying to say jr has any lack of talent. My comment was simply that the car seems to be set up good enough for jr to run in front of the pack for a very large portion of the race, and he has finished in the top 10 80% of the time. He just needs to close the deal. I was using your arguement as a matter of fact that it is not always the wins that determines the measure of how good you are. And I said why would you change anything when you are running 3rd in points and finishing the races well. The ONLY thing that is lacking here is the "W" for some people. I do acknowledge that perhaps Tony Jr made two calls earlier this season that were questionable but when you are the person that makes the calls, and your driver did not win, people are going to question the call that was made. I find it a little bit too much to put all the blame on Jr not being in the winners circle yet this year on Tony Jr as Don alluded to. There have only been 7 winners so far this year. It is not like it is an embarrassment to have not won one of the races yet.
I was being as nice as I can be, big boy. But I am not going to let you and Brad get me on that damn Short Green Bus as long as I am awake.
mbl
Posted at 1:04PM on May 13th 2008 by Mike
15. what makes you think they want you on that bus... big boy? LOL Don't take it personal Mike, I was responding to more than one post. I would still sit in the bleachers with ya.
Ron
Posted at 1:19PM on May 13th 2008 by drgrcr601
16. Yeah,,,,,the Green Bleachers. LOL
Aloha, Brad
P.S. Mike would it matter if that bus was painted with Green DUPONT paint?
Posted at 6:21PM on May 13th 2008 by Brad
17. The key to anybody's success is going to be who can find adjustability in the COT. Being the first full schedule for the COT any team can rise to the top. Next season will be the determining factor as crew chiefs will have notes on how and when to make adjustments. Later in this season when tracks are visited for the second time will show which teams are at the top of their game or not. That when you will see the cream rise to the top and who is actually the cream
Posted at 10:47PM on May 13th 2008 by Lee
18. DON, umbelievable,you are still saying that junior was driving his cars too hard last year and that's the motive why they were blowing engines.
After all last year discussion about such issue,umbelievable.
Last year TRUEX,MENARD and at last MARTIN, BLEW PLENTY OF ENGINES ALSO. Was that junior fault? Yes DALE engines blew more than the mentioned teammates,
so what?.HE WAS GETTING THE LEFTOVER PARTS. This year 2008 TEI/DEI blew 2engines already and more are on the way.IS IT JUNIOR FAULT ALSO?.
PEEWEE HERMIN KB, in every race in 08 has driven harder and rougher than DALE. WHY HIS ENGINES DO NOT BLOW AWAY?. SORRY EMERSON,I may agree partially with the crew chief story,(EVEN tough it's hard to dump a crew chief when the driver has top 5's finish
almost every week and third in points)but the TEI ENGINE BLOW STORY ,being DALE Fault, does not work for me.
Posted at 4:46AM on May 14th 2008 by anzajoe
19. Ok, Brad. I will sit in the green section. But does that mean as a Jeff Gordon fan I get to throw my trash at Jr should he win the race?
MBL
sorry guys, I could not help myself.
Posted at 7:28AM on May 14th 2008 by Mike
20. Yeah Mike,
you can throw whatever you want,,,,,,,,,but with the mentality of SOME Jr. fans,,,,,,your on your own at that point. LOL
Aloha, Brad
Posted at 8:33AM on May 14th 2008 by Brad