After a successful run in the Budweiser Shootout and a victory in the
Gatorade Duel, Jeff Gordon seems quietly confident going into the
Daytona 500. And he wants to make up for his 2008 performance. "The race
got away from us last year, and I don't want that opportunity to slip
away again," he said during a press conference.
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Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. Photo by Eric Gilbert.
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Even though the Hendrick Motorsports team looks to have a winner within
its ranks, Gordon believes there's not a particular favorite, saying
the redesigned cars have neutralized the field. "There are so many
opportunities to pass and to move from the back to the front," he noted.
"Green flag pit stops and tire wear on long runs will play roles, and I
feel like teams with their act together will rise to the top."
Recent Daytona 500 endings have produced electrifying results, and
Gordon believes it will happen again. According to the three-time 500
champion, the "Great American Race" will probably be won on short runs,
as the scenario seems to have become the norm. "A year ago I didn't
think Ryan Newman was a top-10 guy, but he showed that anyone can win it
with the help of a teammate or a friend."
The Gatorade Duels had only nominal wild action, but Gordon thinks the
intensity will pick up come Sunday. "A lot of the guys were running
conservatively Thursday, and I think you will see a lot more risk taking
during the 500."
As the race winds down, Gordon said he and the other drivers will be
pushing hard to come up with the lucrative victory in front of a large
national television audience. "If there's a green-white-checkered
finish, you can't let up," he commented. "There may be a calamity on the
first lap and even if you are headed for the wall or are sideways, you
don't let up. You just hold on tight for one lap or so; otherwise, you
won't make it to the checkered flag."
Gordon said the new car sucks up strong, and the first few cars have
clean air. The lead cars produce an amazing vacuum, which produces a
tremendous amount of momentum. "Guys are doing extreme bump drafting,
and the race has all the ingredients for a multi-car crash. There's no
way around it, and that's what makes the race so exciting."
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Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, shows his car to his daughter Ella Sofia while his lovely wife Ingrid Vandebosch looks on. Photo by Eric Gilbert.
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With 20-month old daughter Ella starting to walk and be active,
Jeff and Ingrid Gordon have learned the hard way about the need for
providing the proud father with a good night's sleep prior to a race.
Gordon described being up half the night with Ella at the Texas Motor
Speedway a year ago, and his on-track performance was not acceptable.
On the eve of the Gatorade Duels, Gordon stayed in the motor coach and
he will do the same for the 500.
Gordon views teammates Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark
Martin as strong favorites to win the race. "Mark (Martin) knows how to
win and can do the job," he said. "This is year of opportunity for him,
to include the Daytona 500 and the championship."
Having won the Daytona 500 three times, Gordon would like nothing better
than to wrack up another win to celebrate the 25th anniversary of
Hendrick Motorsports.
