Have a FaceBook, Twitter, or other social networking account?

Link them to your fanatic account!

Add An Account

TAKE ME TO...
NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
SADLER: Drive For Five In Neutral?
Has the ship sailed on Jeff Gordon's “drive for five?"...
Hermie Sadler  |  Posted September 10, 2009   Charlotte, NC
Hermie Sadler is a reporter for NASCAR RaceDay, NASCAR Victory Lane and NASCAR Live! on SPEED. (Photo: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)
There are a plethora of storylines, all compelling, as we round the corner to the NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup.

Will Jimmie Johnson score a fourth consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship? Can Mark Martin finally earn his first? Will Kyle Busch, tied with Martin for most wins at four, even have the chance? Where will Juan Pablo Montoya end up when it all shakes out?

But a different, albeit interesting, one that I haven’t heard discussed lately is whether or not Jeff Gordon can notch his fifth championship this year … or even ever. What about the “drive for five?” Has that ship sailed?

For the past couple years, the performance of Gordon’s teammate Jimmie Johnson has overshadowed Gordon, whose own resume is staggering: four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships; 82 Cup wins; four-time Daytona 500 champion; four-time Brickyard 400 champion and the list goes on ad nauseum.

But Gordon’s last title came eight years ago in 2001. Eight years. How much longer will it be until the next one and will he even campaign that long? I do not expect Gordon to run a full schedule much past his early 40s given the condition of his back. I also am not convinced he is the type of driver who would be interested in a limited schedule.

The Hendrick Motorsports driver has struggled a bit the past couple of seasons, especially last year with the new car, but has improved this season, which is reflected in his stats. He earned his career-first win at Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year, and sits comfortably in the top five in points headed into the Chase - a great season for most teams but not by Jeff Gordon’s standards.

Gordon possesses the consistency that some teams lack, but he hasn't had the speed to run up front and contend for multiple wins this year as in the past. He is by far the best driver I have ever seen at getting the maximum potential out of his car, but it doesn't appear that ability will be enough for the title in 2009. But why? That’s a tough one. The No. 24 team has everything it needs to win races.

Anyone can get “hot” in the Chase and suddenly be a contender and Gordon very well may. But if he doesn't, it will be interesting to see what happens with the No. 24 team before the 2010 season kicks off in Daytona.

Crew chief Steve Letarte is well known in the garage for his ability to call a race, confident in making a risky call with the knowledge his driver can step it up for him, much like his win at Texas. Where they have struggled, however, is in improving the car’s handling during the course of the event. It seems that when the No. 24 team runs well, they run well all race, but when they struggle, they do so all day or are at least inconsistent.

Ironically, the No. 88 team has the same trouble from time to time - fast enough to drive to the front during one run, but falling back through the field the next. Even more ironic is the fact the 24 and 48 teams share a shop and the 88 and 5 are under one roof. The 48 and the 5 have been the consistent frontrunners this year at Hendrick, or at least constantly have had the speed to contend and win races.

Unfortunately, Gordon's squad will be held to a higher standard because of his remarkable accomplishments over the years. One win per season is not acceptable for this driver or team. I think the 2009 Chase will be pivotal for Gordon because his chances at another championship are running out and how he fares this year may have a big effect on the remainder of his career and possibly even when it ends.

And it sure would be cool to wrap things up with the “drive for five.”

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEEDtv.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel

Hermie Sadler is a reporter for NASCAR RaceDay, NASCAR Victory Lane and NASCAR Live! on SPEED. Sadler began racing as a 10 year old and has more than 300 starts in the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series. He also owns the United Wrestling Federation, which promotes live professional wrestling events in the Southeast. To learn more about Sadler, visit HermieSadler.com or to access behind-the-scenes information about TNA Wrestling, click on “Hermie’s Hot Seat” at TNAWrestling.com.
hermie_sadler's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hermie Sadler

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2012

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.