Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordonis an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver and currently an announcer for Fox NASCAR. He formerly drove the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 23 full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons between 1993 and 2015, and currently serves as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth4 August 1971
CityVallejo, CA
CountryUnited States of America
With his mom and some of the illnesses she's gone through, Robbie is trying to decide right now what his plans are. It has nothing to do with our performance. I believe 100 percent in Robbie Loomis and his abilities. When we're on, there's nobody better.
Even though we had a great car and great results here in the spring, this team has been working hard to build a new car. We believe it's even better than the car we used here earlier this year, we just hope the results are the same.
At Talladega, you worry about the big one that takes out 17 cars. Here, you worry about the 17 little ones that take out several cars. You're always racing with people around you so you don't have anywhere to go when things go wrong. And believe me, a lot of things go wrong.
He was one of the most competitive guys out there. There were days when he'd push you and shove you right out of the way and frustrate you, then there were other days where you just saw his talent and you had a blast racing with him. I think certainly the fans miss the excitement that he brought. I don't think there will be anybody to replace Dale. I believe he was the best race-car driver I've ever raced against.
When you win four championships, you create a lot of expectations that you are supposed to be in the mix every year. This year we fell short, but no matter what people believe or what the perception is, we are doing everything possible to get back in there next season.
I don't know if we had to go win a championship in February, if that was the final event, that we'd be ready for that. But I really believe just in the last 10 races of last year, what I saw in Steve was unbelievable, and that really has me excited about getting this season started.
I got on a plane. I remember when I got on the plane, the talk was, you know, they're checking Dale out, that it's more than what it looked like, but I still didn't think it would be anything more than maybe some injuries. Then I landed at home and my phone just lit up. I started getting those messages. I mean, I was blown away. I couldn't believe it. I was just in shock.
I do believe in karma, but I also do believe in consistency. If you are running in the top five week in and week out, you'll put yourself in position to eventually get into Victory Lane.
I believe 100 percent in Robbie Loomis and in his abilities. When we're on, there's nobody better, and because of our lack of performance this year I really don't think that, you know, Robbie should be put to blame for that.
There are a lot of things going on, and I want to wait till we come out with the press release. We've definitely got things in the works; I've done a little bit. But I want to do something bigger, and I want to see what the biggest need is.
While it's still early to tell, 2005 could very well be the vintage of the decade for Washington state. Mother Nature was definitely on our side this year, delivering one of the warmest summers we've had in recent years, cool and constant fall weather and a frost-free harvest. This allowed the fruit to hang on the vine longer and enhance flavor development.
When my tire blew, that instantly sent a message to me to be more patient. And even when there were times I had to be aggressive, I didn't have to do it with the front bumper.
We just haven't performed this year. We're pathetic. Everywhere we go, we either stink or we're good. So I don't know what will happen at Richmond.
We're not in the top 10 battling for the championship -- it doesn't matter to me where we finish. It's where we finish each race to get ourselves prepared for next year.