Jeff Gordon

Richard Paul asked:


Winning back-to-back championships is a rare feat in NASCAR these days. Prior to the recent Jimmie Johnson ascendancy, the last driver to win championship is succession was none other than Jeff Gordon in 1997 and 1998.Many fans and analysts perceived three consecutive championships in today’s NASCAR as virtually impossible to accomplish. Cale Yarborough won three championships in a row in 1976, 1977, and 1978. Many will contend that NASCAR was a different sport during that stretch of time. There were fewer teams with powerful resources. There were only a handful of teams capable of winning on a consistent basis.
In our current era, the competition is tight; nevertheless, if a team discovers a technological advantage, it can make a huge difference on race day, and that team can leave the competition in the dust. That seems to be the case with Jimmie Johnson and the No. 48 team. The Hendrick Motorsports team won championship in 2006, 2007, and 2008, making him only the second driver to three-peat. Even prior to his championship seasons, he was winning, and winning often. In fact, ever since Johnson arrived to NASCAR’s highest level of competition, he has finished no worse than fifth in the final Sprint Cup standings. It is apparent that Jimmie Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus have this NASCAR thing down pat. They lead the list of favorites in 2009.

How would a fourth consecutive championship affect the sport of NASCAR? Would it be good for the sport? It is a double-edged sword. It would be good for the sport because it has never been accomplished, and may never be accomplished again in our lifetime, meaning that we would be witnessing one of the most impressive achievements in Sprint Cup history. It could also present a negative affect on the sport based on the lack of parity. While Johnson has a respectable fan base, the majority of fans have not embraced Johnson the way other champions have been embraced. Some fans just simply want to see someone different hoist the championship trophy at Homestead in November. It is becoming habitual for Johnson to sit at the head table during the December awards banquet, and fans are starving for a new champion.

Winning four championships would be unbelievable, perhaps the second most impressive NASCAR statistic behind only the seven total championships won by Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt.



LINDSEY

Jake Truman asked:


Jeff Gordon is a famous American race car driver who was born in 1971 in Vallejo, California. He has won the Nascar Winston Cup four times, and he drives car #24 for Hendrick Motorsports. As of this writing, one of his most prominent sponsors is DuPont. Jeff Gordon began racing when he was only five years of age. He loved to race cars, and his family was supportive of him. His family actually relocated primarily because they wanted Jeff to be in a location where he could better harness his racing skills. While he was still a minor, Jeff had already won a number of races and was given the USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year award.

After this, Gordon went on to win the USAC Midget title, and by 1991, he had gained the USAC Silver Crown. He broke a record by being the youngest person to ever capture the title. He went to the Busch Series after this, and had a large number of victories. Gordon crashed his car during the the Hooters 500 race in Atlanta in 1992, and this caused him to be placed in the 31st position. Jeff Gordon was one of many young racers who would be placed on high quality teams early in their careers. The success of Jeff Gordon allowed a younger generation of racers to begin competing in Nascar.

Many critics felt that Gordon was not ready to compete at the professional level because of his habit of racing cars so hard that he crashed them. However, Gordon proved them all wrong during the 1994 season, were he emerged victorious in the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, which was a long and difficult race. Gordon would also go on to win at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Brickyard 400. In 1995 he won what would become the first of four Winston Cup Championships. Jeff Gordon is also famous for rising up against the legendary Dale Earnhardt, and he has become a fan favorite.

Many people consider Jeff Gordon to be one of the greatest drivers in Nascar because he achieved so much at a very young age. Even at 35 years of age, Jeff Gordon has successfully won 75 races, which is just one victory behind Dale Earnhardt. Jeff Gordon is also notable for making Nascar a popular sport with mainstream audiences. For a long time, the sport was only regulated to the south, but Jeff Gordon has allowed it to reach a high level of popularity due to advertising and his skills with the media.



NOE

La-La asked:


I’m going to Chicagoland Speedway next Friday and Jeff Gordon is doing this appearance outside the track. He’s unveiling this monument because he won there last year. And lots of people are going to be there to see it. So how can I get Jeff to notice me?

CHRIS

Jeremy Dunn asked:


r/>Jeff Burton-

For the third consecutive season, Jeff Burton, a model of consistency, challenged for the Sprint Cup championship; however, he sputtered to the season’s finish line following his victory at Charlotte in October. Steadiness defined Burrton’s 2008 season. He scored a top ten finish in half of the 36 races, and won two races (Bristol and Charlotte). Burton led the Sprint Cup championship standings for several weeks in the spring, but the 31 team slowly began to slide down the ladder as the season progressed. Burton’s win at Charlotte put him back on the championship radar, but his championship dreams quickly began to fizzle once the series arrived in Martinsville a week later.

In 2009, Burton will compete in the Chase for the Championship by default. He will challenge for a victory every now and again, but it would not be a shocker if he encountered a winless season.

5. Clint Bowyer-

Following his breakthrough season in 2007, several analysts envisioned a championship contender in Clint Bowyer. Unfortunately, Bowyer’s 2008 season barely measured up to the 2007 season. His lone win of season occurred at Richmond, and it was only because Denny Hamlin cut a tire with less than 20 laps to go, and then the Dale Earnhart, Jr. and Kyle Busch on-track fracas. Like his two Richard Childress Racing teammates, Bowyer was consistent, which is why he earned a spot in the Chase for the Championship for the second successive season.

Bowyer will depart the 07 Jack Daniel’s team and become the driver of the upstart 33 General Mills team for Richard Childress Racing. While he is not changing organizations, a new cast of characters will surround him, including a new crew chief, Shane Wilson. It will be difficult for Bowyer to qualify for the Chase for the Championship based on his 2008 results, especially considering the team switch.

4.

Kevin Harvick-

Kevin Harvick failed to win a race in 2008, but he was in good company. Matt Kenneth and Jeff Gordon joined him in the winless guild. However, Harvick enjoyed a run of nine consecutive top ten finishes in the summer, which helped earn him a third consecutive Chase for the Championship appearance. While Harvrick was one of the top performers in the second half of the season, he seemed to be a fourth to seventh place driver at best. His season almost mirrored those of his teammates, except Harvick did not win a race.

Harvick should contend for a spot in the Chase for the Championship in 2009. He has emerged as one of NASCAR’s most consistent drivers. Consistency alone may not win championships, but it does get you into the twelve-man, ten-race showdown.

3. Greg Biffle-

Greg Biffle did not win a race throughout the first 26 races of the season, but as soon as the Chase for the Championship approached, Biffle came out swinging. He opened the Chase for the Championship with back-to-back wins at New Hampshire and Dover. He remained within striking distance of Jimmie Johnson up until the final race of the season. Overall, the 2008 season was one of resurgence for Biffle, who many revere as one of the most talented drivers in the garage.

Biffle has yet to qualify for the Chase for the Championship in subsequent seasons, but that should change in 2009. It appears that this team is only scratching the surface of their boundless potential. Biffle is ready to contend for the Sprint Cup championship.

2. Carl Edwards-

Perhaps a little more patience at Talladega and a little luck at Charlotte would have gone a long way in Carl Edwards’ bid at the 2008 Sprint Cup championship. Edwards was easily as fast as Jimmie Johnson was throughout the final ten races. He won three of the final four races. Unfortunately, two poor finishes were enough to diminish his championship aspirations. With that said, Edwards led the Sprint Cup Series in wins with nine, top fives with nineteen, and top tens with 27. Edwards certainly enjoyed his best season to date.

Edwards is the championship favorite heading into the 2009 season, with all apologies to Jimmie Johnson. While Johnson and Kyle Busch had their shining moments in 2008, they also had moments of perceptible vulnerability. Edwards was fast from Daytona to Homestead and everywhere in between.

1.

Jimmie Johnson-

Jimmie Johnson completed the tri-feta, the three-peat, or any other cliché you may evoke. He joins the legendary Caleb Yarborough as the only drivers to win three consecutive championships. It was not a season-long walk in the park for Johnson, however. This team initially struggled on the intermediate tracks with the Car of Tomorrow back in the spring. Their performance at Las Vegas was perhaps the worst performance by this since they arrived to the NASCAR scene in the fall of 2001. However, crew chief Chad Klaus and the 48 team resolved the issues by doing their homework, therefore discovering the comfortable balance that Johnson needed. As the season progressed, the 48 team became even more formidable, and when the Chase for the Championship arrived, Johnson was the driver to beat. He won three times in the ten-race Chase for the Championship, and finished no worse than 15th en route to NASCAR’s ultimate prize.

It is difficult to fathom a driver and team winning four consecutive titles. Nonetheless, Johnson is a perennial championship favorite, and this team is as close to flawless as any team in the sport’s rich history. Johnson will win multiple races again in 2009, and expect him to be in position to win his fourth championship come November.



ORLANDO

Brian Connors asked:


There’s a whole lot of unique NASCAR collectibles out there that will gratify true, diehard and committed stock car racing fans. Stuff like apparel, die-cast cars, authentic race memorabilia, blankets, hats and a multitude of other traditional items are available for fans of all ages whether guy or gal. But is there a unique type of merchandise that should also be considered?

Absolutely! Did you know that there is now available for fans of Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr, Tony Stewart, and Jimmie Johnson neon clocks with their respective pictures and cars on them? Each one is something very striking and impressive that would be the envy of any fan of these drivers. What are the specifications of these neon clocks?

First off, they are manufactured by Jebco Products which makes these items and other high quality officially licensed NASCAR collectibles as well. They are within either a 16” chrome or 22” black molded round case with a glass or bezel glass lens, respectively. They have electric illumination with battery powered movement. These are simply the features that the fans should know about before they buy one. But much more importantly, what are their benefits?

They are bold. They are magnets for the eyes to admire. They create a picture in the viewer’s mind of competition and a desire in his soul to be a part of it. There’s an invisible quality within each one that can’t be adequately described in human terms. Something is there but can’t be put into words to explain. There’s a feeling that one should belong to you for reasons that only you can possibly know about. It’s all about the NASCAR magic that is deeply within each devoted fan.

The fact that they would be an attractive edition to any home, office, or work area should also be mentioned. Just imagine the perfect spot where the neon clock would be most revered. A side wall in the bedroom? Perhaps at a bare spot down in the finished basement? How about the workshop in either your garage or company location? The hallway…or bathroom…den or kitchen? These are just my guesses and only you can know the best place where one would have the most emotional impact.

Take the advice of StockCarUSA.com and get familiar with the NASCAR collectibles of neon clocks. They would add a new dimension to your love of racing and tell everyone who sees it that you are dead serious about your loyalty. The clocks would not only tell the time but tell others what you are all about in no uncertain terms.



ELMO

Ghost of General Lee asked:


I know Gordon has only won two races this year and hasn’t done all that well, but he could still have a chance. Just when you think he’s finished he comes back. Gordon has done that in his racing career. He may not do all that good in the regular season, but he does good enough to make the chase for the cup. Then he shows the racin side of him and does awesome.

BASIL

Kristi Ambrose asked:


It was the year 1998 and as part of Nascars 50th anniversary they decided to gather a list of 50 of the top race car drivers in the auto racing industry, the idea first came about when the NBA granted 50 of its players for the Greatest Players In NBA history. To quote the president of Nascar, Bill France said that “These are the men who define the competition of our sport. Their accomplishments are the benchmark that much of our history is identified by. Honoring them in this way, at the beginning of the NASCAR 50th Anniversary celebration, is one way of showing our true appreciation for them and the invaluable contribution they have given over the past 50 years. These are the drivers who made and make NASCAR fans stand on their feet and cheer. These are the drivers who are NASCAR history.”

Well since there is already a list of 50 that commemorates all the greatest drivers, I decided to make a list of 10 along with their sponsorships and or brands of the drivers at hand along with a little bit of other information about the driver. These drivers have all been in the limelight for quite some time now, but a few of them are up and coming drivers as well. The old 50 count list had a lot of deceased drivers, and I wanted to list all the newer drivers still in the Nascar industry. These drivers are not in any sort of an order, so let’s take a look, shall we?

Jeff Gordon of Pittsboro, Indiana was born August 4, 1971 and drives the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet. He had 36 starts in 2007, 6 wins, 30 top tens, and 1 DNF. Sponsors include Du Pont, Pepsi, GM, Motorsports Authentics, EA Sports, Jeff Gordon Racing School, and Time Warner Cable. As of right now Jeff is ranked at #8.

Tony Stewart of Rushville, Indiana was born May 20, 1971 and drives the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 20 Home Depot Toyota. Tony had 36 starts, 3 wins, 23 top tens, 4DNFs and was 6th in the Championship standings in the year 2007. Sponsorships include Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Old Spice, Toyota, Subway, Simpson, Mac Tools, and Oakley. Rank #7

Kurt Busch of Las Vegas, Nevada was born August 4, 1978 and drives the Penske Racing No. 2 Dodge. In 2007 he had 36 starts, 2 wins, 14 top tens, 3 DNFs and was 8th in the Championships. Sponsors include the likes of Miller Lite, Snap-on, Mobil 1, Kodak, Penske, Sirius, PPG and Dodge just to name a few. Rank #18

Kyle Busch (little brother of Kurt) of Las Vegas, Nevada was born May 2, 1985 and drives the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota and in 2007 he had 36 starts, 1 win, 20 top tens, 2 DNFs and was 5th in the Championships. Sponsors include M&Ms and Susan G Komen For The Cure. Rank #11

Denny Hamlin of Midlothian, Virginia was born November 18, 1980 and drives the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota. Denny had 36 starts, 1 win, 18 top tens, 1 DNF and was 12th in the Championships, sponsors include that of FedEx, Coca-Cola, Joe Gibbs Racing, TRD, Toyota and Willey X Sunglasses. Rank #12

Matt Kenseth of Cambridge, Wisconsin was born March 10, 1972 and drives the Roush Fenway Racing No. 17 Ford. In 2007 Matt had 36 starts, 2 wins, 22 top tens, 4 DNFs, and he was 4th in the Championships. Sponsors include Gatorade, Kraft, Ford, Sherwin Williams, and MRO. Rank #9

Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Kannapolis, North Carolina was born October 10, 1974 and drives the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet. Dale had 36 starts, 12 top tens, 9 DNFs, and was 16th in the Championships. In 2008 Dale decided to leave the company founded by his dad and move to Hendrick Motorsports. Sponsors include Remington, The Outlaw, Snap-on and Budweiser. Rank #10

Carl Edwards of Columbia, Missouri was born August 15, 1979 and drives the Roush Fenway Racing No. 99 Ford. He had 36 starts, 3 wins, 15 top tens, 4DNFs, and was 9th in the Championships, Sponsors include Charter Communications, Roundup, MacTools, and Superchips. Rank #2

Martin Truex Jr. of Mayetta, New Jersey was born June 20, 1980 and drives the Dale Earnhardt Inc. No. 1 Chevrolet. He had 36 starts, 1 win, 14 top tens, 4 DNFs and finished 11th in the Championships. Sponsors include Enterprise, American Airlines, Hampton, SPRO, Motorsports Authentics, Behr Designs and Bec-Car Printing Company. Rank #17

Jeff Burton of South Boston, Virginia was born June 29, 1967 and drives the Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet. Jeff had 36 starts, 1 win, 18 top tens, 3DNFs and was 7th in the Championships. Jeffs Sponsors include AT&T, Lenox and Prilosecotc. Rank #4

And of course rank #1 is Jimmie Johnson but, if you’re a ******** fan you wouldn’t even have to take a guess at why! In 2007 he had 36 starts, 10 wins, 24 top tens, 4DNFS and he was the NEXTEL Cup Championship. As a third consecutive championship Jimmie and crew chief Knaus will not make the same mistakes that caused the suspensions and penalties that they had last season. The two men work as a team very well and plan on improving their game plan a little better this year!



CARSON

tregosteevo Secretary of Defense asked:


Was it :
A) Kyle’s fault for deliberately holding back on the restart?
B) Carl’s fault for getting into the back of the 24 car?
C) Jeff’s fault for being in the wrong place at the wrong time?
D) Other, please expalin your answer.
Thanks for the answers and input, I hope you had a great holiday weekend!
Also, I have heard that Jeff and Jimmie were mad at each other during the race, what was that all about?

ROLANDO