Driver Spotlight: Jeff Gordon (Preseason Addition)

Jeff Gordon's 2014 Preview

By Richard Tix

A look at Previous Driver Spotlight's

20th, 9th, 25th, 34th, 11th, 3rd, and 38th. Those finishes don't scream 4-time Champion do they? Well that is exactly how Jeff Gordon started out his season in 2013. It was a rocky start to the season that seemed to spread through his year all the way up until he was chosen to be the first #13 Chase Driver ever.

So, is this the start of Gordon's decline or does he have more left in the tank? In 2007 Gordon had 6 wins and came close to getting his 5th title but Jimmie Johnson was just too good and Jeff finished runner up. Well, ever since that season Gordon has 7 wins in 6 seasons and has only finished top 5 in the Chase once (2009).

Jeff Gordon is still a huge fan favorite. He also still runs a Hendrick car so he always has a shot at getting a few wins but has the decline of his career already started? Gordon finished 2013 with his least amount of top 5's since 2005 and tied for his least amount of top 10's since 2005 but he did have a strong run in the Chase.

After getting the final Chase spot (13th) Gordon had a good showing and finished the season 6th in points.  Maybe Gordon will have a resurgence and make a push back at JJ for another Title after his good finish in 2013. Not only is he chasing another title but a huge topic has been who will get to 100 wins first, him or Jimmie.

Jeff Gordon is at 88 career wins to start the 2014 season, but if he continues the pace he has been on the last 6 seasons he will need to race full time another 11 years. That puts Gordon at 52 years old and it starts to seem even more unrealistic that he will ever reach 100. So if Gordon ever wants to get to 100 wins he needs to start having seasons where he steals a few races from other drivers. With that in mind, 2014 is a big year for Jeff Gordon if he wants to get back on the path of 100 and chase another title.

Let me know your thoughts on Twitter. Will Gordon ever win another Championship? Will he get to 100 wins? Will JJ get to 100 before Gordon? Has Gordon hit his decline? Let the Countdown to Daytona Continue!

Check out some other Hendrick Articles:

• Chasing History (On Jimmie Johnson)
• NASCAR Sprint Cup 2014 Headlines
• Driver Spotlight: Dale Earnhardt Jr (Preseason Addition)