Drive for Five: Jeff Gordon really believes it's title time
Over the first decade of his Sprint Cup Series career, Jeff Gordon made winning championships look easy.
So when the California-born driver in 2001 captured his fourth title in a seven-year stretch, a catchy marketing slogan dubbed Gordon's "Drive for Five" quickly became common jargon around the NASCAR world.
Thirteen years later, the Drive for Five continues — but the end could be near. No, Gordon's isn't ready to retire. But he's as amped as he's been in several years about his prospects of finally claiming an elusive fifth title, and his results on the track this year support the reasoning for his enthusiasm.
While Gordon is second in points entering Sunday's Chase for the Sprint Cup opener at Chicagoland Speedway, a review of the 26-race regular season suggests the Hendrick Motorsports driver is the odds-on favorite to claim the sport's top prize nine weeks from now at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Gordon, who has three wins and has led the standings by far more than any other driver, doesn't mind wearing the mantle of title favorite. As far as he's concerned, it's well-deserved.
"We haven't had a team like this since 2001," Gordon said. "In '07 we were close, '04 we were close, but I don't think we ever really had this type of momentum, this type of chemistry, since we won our last championship, and in all honesty that's what it takes to win a championship. Who we've been up against, they've had that, and we've got that back this year, so I'm really excited about our chances."
After squeaking his way into the Chase the past two seasons (he actually needed an assist from NASCAR to make the Chase in 2013 after the infamous SpinGate controversy in the regular-season finale at Richmond), Gordon locked down a playoff berth early this year with a win at Kansas Speedway in May.
Gordon has since added victories at Indianapolis and Michigan, but it's the phenomenal consistency from Gordon and his No. 24 team that makes him view this Chase much differently than 2012 and 2013.
"I just don't feel like we were really well-prepared to go into the Chase to actually win it," he said. "We were in it and we were doing our best, but I don't think we were really able really have the confidence and the momentum to say we're laser-focused to win this championship, like we are this year. This has been so much more calming and because of that, you're just able to think clearer in the car, enjoy life more and just go into the race with a more relaxed mindset."
Over 26 regular-season outings, Gordon recorded more top-10 finishes -- 17 -- than any other driver, while finishing outside the top 20 just three times.
It was this level of consistency that allowed him to lead the standings by a comfortable margin before the points were reset following last weekend's regular-season finale at Richmond.
Gordon, one of four drivers with three wins, trails four-time winner Brad Keselowski by three points entering the Chase, but that's not a huge concern based on how Gordon has performed all season long.
"I've had years where I felt like we had a chance to win, but it's been a long time since I felt like we were the team to win," he said of the championship.
If Gordon does win the title, retirement isn't on the table, despite him hinting at the possibility coming into the year, and again broaching the subject when he experienced severe back pain in early summer.
"I was asked a question -- would you consider it? -- and I said I would, because I think it's an exciting way to end a career to go out on top, but at the same time, I'm having too much fun," Gordon said. "I'm enjoying myself too much, my back is doing well, and I don't see any reason to quit any time soon."
VIDEO: Jeff Gordon talks about his chances of winning the 2014 championship on Chase Media Day in Chicago
