Jeff Gordon Climbing Into History
Tuesday April 24, 2007
Jeff Gordon's Phoenix win moved him up into a tie for sixth on NASCAR's all-time win list. To put it in perspective Jeff Gordon's 76 victories are more than double the total of any other active driver. Part-timer Mark Martin is the next active driver on the list with 35 wins. The next full-time driver on the list is Dale Jarrett who sits in nineteenth with just 32 NEXTEL Cup victories.
Consider that Jeff Gordon has just 481 career NEXTEL Cup starts compared with Martin's 680 and Jarrett's 647 and you start to understand just how dominant Jeff Gordon has been in his career. Even the great Dale Earnhardt took 676 starts to amass his 76 wins.
Comments
Jeff is a great driver and will keep doing it good. He says he learned so much in his younger years. It sure shows now!!
Ive said this on other threads too. I cant & wont take anything from Jeff. He has certainly matured lots (especially since his recent marraige and upcoming child) he in his younger days WHINED and MOANED about everything. (Not so much now) He has had loads of races handed to him (basically because NASCAR seems to cater to HENDRICK RACING) and that still happens!!!! I think it is all a shame and disgrace. I think Jeff could have achieved this goal WITHOUT NASCARs underhanded stunts. I personally dont care much for Gordon, but I do think he is a class act these days, and he can drive very well. I also would like for him to win that championship that breaks the record with THE KING! NASCAR on the other hand is about to sink. IT IS THEIR VERY OWN FAULT. They are underhanded and break their own rules to cater to THE MONEY (who ever that happens to be at the time) I just wish Gordon could break his lifetime contract with Hendrick and go else where. He can do good with a LESS CHEATING team, and feel better about it. Again Jeff is one of my least favs, but give him credit, he is good. GO KASEY
I agree that Gordon has whined a little in his career, but NASCAR catering to Hendrick’s? If that’s the case, then why did people like Schrader, Vickers, Nadeau, Craven not rack up the wins? Being an Earnhardt fan, first to #3, & now to #8, I used to hate Gordon, but seeing what he has done, after losing the best crew chief in NASCAR, the best team to Robert Yates, his wife, & still running up front, makes me respect his ability as a driver. I would not say he’s my favorite, but I do see the veteran coming out in him, & also see why Dale Sr. thought so much of him. After what he did with the #3 flag Saturday, he shows he truly is a class act, & I’m glad to see he hasn’t forgot one of the reasons he is so good.
PS, I wouldn’t mind seeing Jr. in the #3 Budweiser car with RCR, it did work well for the old man.
Jeff Gordon is a very class act..Nothing has been handed to him,Jeff has been Racing since about 6 years old and has won in everything he has driven.People that don’t like Jeff are not very intelegent when it comes to racing,We all have favorites,But If you really think Jeff has not earned his place in Nascar history maybe you should get your head out of your Butt.
Jeff has earned his place regardless of what the #3 fans say. If you want to talk about a whiner lets mention #20! He is the worst. NASCAR hasn’t handed Gordon anything. He isn’t and never has been a “dirty” driver(#3)Let’s face it, Jr isn’t his father, the only thing they have in common is a name.
Gordon is making history of that there is no dought. I believe that he will continue to make and break records. Like him personally or not there is no dening that he is good at what he does.
I alway like the people who say “he’s a great driver but. He is the winningest active driver in NASCAR. He wins on almost every track regardless of what he’s driving. He got in Pablos F1 car a few years back and on his 2nd lap was only 1/10 off the pole speed. He has won on dirt and asphalt. He’s had his crew broken up and lost the best crew chief ever, (Ray could make a go cart run on diesel)yet here he is tied with the great one in 195 fewer starts. He’s leading the points and just won another race and now is only 2 tracks away from winning at every track NASCAR races. I like Jeff and I am a fan but I also like Mark martin, The E’s 3 and 8 , and I really dont think we can take away from Jeff what he has clearly earned. He was respected by Dale sr and proudly wears the nickname “the Kid” given to him by Dale. He has earned the records by hard work and determination lets not cheapen it by partisan pettyness.
I guess there will always be those that hate the person that has the life we all wish we had. We all hated the GQ quarterback in high school who dated the prom queen.
I am not, nor have I been an “official” Gordon fan. I was a Mark Martin fan, then switched to Jr. when he was only racing Busch. I am still a Jr. fan today.
All that being said, I stood and applauded Gordon when he reached a new level in his career Saturday night. It is a great accomplishment and he has many wins ahead of him. Like him or hate him, he has a ton of talent.
Those Dale Sr. fans that hate Gordon, you need to remember that Dale Sr. was VERY instrumental in bringing Gordon up thru the ranks. Dale recognized talent. Jeff will NEVER forget that.
It will be tough for Gordon to achieve the seven championships to match Dale and Richard and match the 200 wins of Richard. Nascar has equalized the cars so much, that high mark will be a very hard one to match and beat, not just by Jeff, but by anyone.
Jeff Gordon is one of the best drivers ever. He has broke more records then most every other driver. I personly think alot of people think he’s one of the greats but are to afraid to admit it
There will never be another #3. There will also never be another #24. Going to #8 to ask his permission to honor his father was a class act. As to #20 we just need to let the smoke clear this year.
Yes Jeff is goin to be one of the greats in Nascar. I was a diehard #3 fan, I now root for Harvick. You have to admit there wasnt the kind of money thrown at the sport 20-30yrs ago that they have today, I personally dont like the 5-6car teams 2 should be the limit but the owners will always find loopholes.
Jeff is a very good driver and has had the fortune to be with two very good teams. Is he great? only time will tell. I really thought IROC brought out the “greatness” in drivers, you know, equally prepared cars and all that stuff.
Scooter – I think next year they are going to limit owners to a 4 team max. But I agree with you that 2 car teams would be better and, yes they would find loopholes such as wives, children or family members owning another team with 2 cars, pretty soon a family would own a team of 8 cars. If they wrote the rules correctly they could limit the rules.
Of course Jeff is the “Greatest”…
Why else would Kobe Bryant of the Lakers change his number to …..24!
Lou are you crazy, are you related to the F Gump family? You compare Jeff with Kobe. Jeff to a no talent ball chaser, understand you compare Kobe with Mark M, Kyle B. or Robby G. but Jeff?
Lou and Paul calm down and think. How would Kolbe really look, if he wasn’t on the Lakers this year? With team mates who would have been eaten alive by Gators, or mauled by a Bruin. However, THIS IS NASCAR not basketball and Jeff has a better looking paint job on his #24 than Kolbe.
NO,no, Paul….I’m sayin’ that Kobe WISHES he had the class of Jeff and as Lloyd says, “A better looking paint job on his 24!”
Lou, Oh NEVER MIND
Did Jeff really win the race at Phoenix? I don’t think so. In my book he should have been made to go to the end of the line not first. He was in the pits on a green flag and then the yellow flag came out, the cars ran around the track, he lost a lap, and then he beat the pace car when it came around. But then we all know Nascar has their favorites and changes their minds to suit themselves. I still enjoy the races but am not a Gordon fan. None of the other good drivers had a chance to win the race the way they pulled this one off.
marie, You said it all “you are not a jeff fan”
IMO, all the tude people who were yelling and throwing their beer cans at Jeff when he rode around the track with the #3 flag are not true race fans. They are a bunch of sots who just go to the races to meet with their other sots to drink and make trouble. NASCAR can’t ban the beer but they can ban the sots. They can’t comprehend the history that is being made nor the level that Jeff has achieved and will keep on achieving, god willing, so they are the losers. You have to have the talent and ability to drive like he does and combine that with the people who work with him just makes for one heck of a team.
Jeff Gordon is one of the greats for sure ! but i still thing he would of been a outstanding Indycar driver instead .When he was your he drove the heck out of those midget cars .Hes come a long way and i think he may even top all the records yet …
jeff is a great driver and has a good chance at the cup
ikstod, what the heck did you say? Tell us what is a race fan? Anybody that you agree with you? Those people that throws stuff are in the same class of people that calls names to others, they just haven’t grown up yet. Some people just have a grade school Mentality. We find that on here all the time
Oh please already! Two “Golden Boy Can Do no Wrong” articles in the same week is about enough to make a true race fan puke in Technicolor. Anyone who really pays attention to NASCAR racing knows that the powers that be will bend the rules into the shape of a pretzel if Gordon so much as whines. Steve, if you’ve ran out of ideas, how about something on the timing of “Phantom Debris”, or maybe even “unintentional rule violations”.
As I’ve said before, Jeff Gordon is a great race car driver and no one can take that away from him, but with everything NASCAR has handed him on a silver platter, he wouldn’t make a pimple on an honest driver’s butt.
Just my opinion, thanks for letting me say it.
jeff gordon is the good driver
Jeff did not win the race,he was given the race by NASCAR. I still think jeff is still a A#%H*&%$.TONY SHOULD HAVE WON THE RACE!!!!GO TONY GO HE’S THE BEST!!!!
Hey Matt-Fan and Larry, You both have NO idea of the great talent Jeff has. Your statements are just plain “fan-based hate” for a particular driver. I personally display the #20 on my truck, but Jeff WON that race. And to you “beer can throwing idiots”, Jr. was asked by Jeff’s camp LAST year if they could fly the #3 flag. Jr. has commended Jeff for his class and respect of Dale Sr., over and over. You #3 fans…….. get a grip. There are other great drivers in NASCAR.
Not all #3 & #8 fans need to get a grip. I for one an a die hard Earnhardt fan, & have learned that Gordon has the best shot of being the 1st 8 time champion, & probably the best shot at having the most all time wins. I’ll still root for Jr. to beat him every day at the track.
Well, I’m a #20 fan – all the way – win or lose, but… 24 has to be a great driver or he wouldn’t be where he is, the key? Consistency. Tony, let’s quit moping and come up with a plan to beat #24 and prove we’re the better driver/team. I KNOW you can do it.
Matt fan,
I guess Jeffs 600 wins before he got to nascar were all given to him too! Give me a break.
Quit Hatin On #24, Show & Prove!
Honestly, you all need to face it. I olve the sport and what needs to be said is that like any other sport, THEY ALL CHEAT! It’s all about who hides it the best. Why do you think the winning cars get checked immeadiatly after the races? NASCAR Officials do not hand anything to anybody! They make the fairest choices they can for the situations. I for one am a forever #3 fan and also #8, #20, and I admit that there are days that they do not belong on the track. So if Gordon wins the cup, then he deserves it. He would have been the best at hidding his cheating then the others, and did the best driving while he was at it.
All of this bickering on here about Jeff is non-sense. He is a good driver as well most of the other drivers in nascar, or else they would not be there. Nascar does change the rules for any purpose they want, for some driver to tie records or even break records in front of Presidents. It won’t ever change. So why don’t you learn from your kids, if it’s not too late, and grow up.
GET A LIFE YOU JEFF GORDON HATERS AND ENJOY WHEN YOU ARE PRIVALIGED TO WATCH A GREAT DRIVER AND HUMAN BEING. CALIFORNIA IS PART OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY AND I LOVE THE SOUTH AND ALWAYS WILL.GIVE, YOURSELF AN OPPOURTUNITY TO ENJOY NASCAR
I must say I am very proud of all the positive comments on this issue of Jeff Gordon. Based on what I’ve seen in the past here I’m totally shocked. Oh sure there are some who must get their hatred in there but for the most part I see a lot of NASCAR fans that may not specifically be Gordon fans who are saying good things about this awesome accomplishment of 76 wins tying Big E for all time wins.
Jeff Gordon isn’t my driver and I must admit he has kind of rubbed me the wrong way with his whining sometimes but all in all he is an extremely talented driver who I think truly deserves a lot of credit for what he has accomplished in our sport in the short time he has participated in it as a driver.
As a NASCAR fan I must say I have great difficulty understanding why there are some fans that feel it necessary to hate and trash any driver except their select few favorite drivers. The attitude that in order to like one thing/person you must hate an other thing/person is truly beyond my understanding. I am a race fan. I love racing and everything about it. I have the utmost respect for every single driver for his ability to make it into such a highly competitive sport even if I think he’s a jackass for how he conducts himself as a human being.
All I know is that when Jeff drove his victory lap with the ‘#3′ flag flying out his driver window I got a new respect for Jeff I’d never had before. I think that some of us fans tend to forget that all of those drivers, crew members and team owners are also fans just like us…they are just the lucky ones to get to live their dream!
Oh yeah…those who feel it is cool to throw things on the track because they don’t like the outcome of the race should go home and stay there!
Jeff this, Jeff that, Jeff lovers, Jeff haters Jeff won, Jeff should have not won, Can’t stand nascar, nascar suck up, I’m a true race fan, he cheats, they all cheats. That just about sums it up on these comments.
i’m not a big race fan. i do watch a race some times. some say the rules were changed. i don’t know what rule was changed.but i seam to recall some rule change last year to the chevys to make others more competitive.
My point proven again. I’m a fan, I’m not a fan. What is a fan?
I am the biggest jeff gordon fan there is…..the man is awesome, talented an yes at times a whiner…but u cannot take away from all of his accomplishments for the short time that he has been driving for nascar. There are so many drivers who week after week drive around that track to win, place, an most of amaze all of us fans, an yet you sit here an leave negative thoughts an things but yet you will still go an watch the next race an find someone new to pick on or hate…..I love the sport an as long as they all to the race an they all leave the race then to me they have accomplished entertaing me. Hopefully you all understand that statement. GO GORDON!!!!!!!!!!!!
This has nothing to do with Jeff Gordon, but what Tony Stewart said in todays paper. I’m not a fan of his but what he said was spot on. His comments about NASCAR using the yellow flag to control the races was right on the mark. I wonder what NASCAR will do with him now. Peace to all.
If you been watching TV when interviewing the drivers, when asked, most of them have said the very same thing. Some of them don’t mind it, as kyle Petty have said about the subject, it’s entertainment.
I went and saw the movie: Dale, with my 7 year old son who is a staunch fan of JG.
I saw Dale winning most of the races with passion and skill that he had. Toward the end, however, I saw fear in him where he was driven to use means such as psychological intimidation and verbal assault on drivers that posed competitive threat to him.
It was hard for me to explain to my kid why a driver with such extraordinary success came out saying (even jokingly) – if you see JG, put that SOB to wall.
I think fear of competition from new and young drivers led him say that. I hope the would-be-legends won’t let the glory get to their mind to tread such a path and enjoy what they achieved and give it their best while they can.
All the drivers in a NASCAR race are good drivers. Some are better than others and some are great. Some have better equipment than others and some have great equipment. But to pick your favorite driver and whine and complain about everyone else just reduces the sport to a “crybaby” status. All you crybabies should switch to watching professional basketball where whining about everything is acceptable.
READING SOME OF THE COMMENTS….WOW!
YES; NASCAR KEEPS CHANGING THE RULES & IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY DID NOT BUT YOU CAN’T BELIEVE THAT THEY DO IT FOR 1 DRIVER OVER ANOTHER….GET REAL!
GORDON HAS EARNED HIS WINS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DRIVER & TEAM. IT’S CALLED RACING AND HE WHO PASSES THE FINISH LINE FIRST…WINS!
GORDON HAS A SKILL UNLIKE ANY OTHER SEEN. JIMMY JOHNSON IS ANOTHER TO KEEP AN EYE ON.
IT’S NOT JUST #24, #48 OR #3….IT TAKES ALL THE DRIVERS-ALL THE TEAMS TO MAKE A “RACING FAN”
OK #3 WAS GOOD BUT GIVE IT A REST……GORDON HONNERED HIM.
I AM SURE THAT GORDON MISSES HIM AS MUCH IF NOT MORE THEN ANY “FAN” COULD!
IT WOULD BE NICE IF, NO MATTER WHO WON, THE SO CALLED “FANS” OF RACING WOULD TAKE THEIR TRASH HOME WITH THEM AND CHEER THE WINNER. THEY WON!!!!
GIVE THEM THE RESPECT YOU’D WANT IF YOU WON.
I ENJOY WATCHING THE RACES. YES I HAVE MY FAVORITES & IT’S NICE WHEN THEY WIN BUT I AM A FAN OF THE RACE. I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO ALL THE DRIVERS. IT WOULDN’T BE MUCH OF A RACE WITHOUT THEM!
RESPECTFULLY,
B-R-W
I am not a Jeff Gordon fan and am glad to read some of the comments. I feel the same way that he gets some prety good breaks. I won’t say that NASCAR creates them, but it upsets me sometimes when a debris on the track comes out at must the opportune time.
Reading these comments I am amazed that a lot of the race fans have forgotten one little important detail. The year Nascar changed the rules and went to “the chase”, if the point system had not been changed Jeff Gordon would have won the championship that year. I think I know why they changed it when they did = to keep Jeff from winning. He didn’t whine nor complain even tho’ he knew it blew his chances of winning. I just hope that NASCAR gets it together and stops changing the rules every time somebody wins that they don’t like. Make rules in the start of the race year and leave them alone. Sure there will be complaints but you are always going to have them. Be fair to all the drivers. It’s hard to race when you drive around thinking the rules might have changed since the race started. (that’s an exaggeration but you get the point I’m sure). They want to reward consistancy in the drivers so why can’t they be consistant in the rules?? Nascar, are you listening??
I agree that Jeff is a good driver but i also believe that NASCAR has handed him his last 2wins. U can say what u wanna say bout that but I have watched NASCAR for 14yrs and never have I saw so much favoritism b4 and the race 2day just proved it NASCAR did not need too call the cation they should have let the race play out and let the best driver win but they r trying to replace the gr8est man to ever driver for them with Gordon and I’m sorry to say that he just dose not feel the shoes or the man
I am not the biggest Nascar fan but if I’m going to devote an entire afternoon to a race why on gods green earth would I route for anybody except Jeff Gordon. Everything I see and hear and have learnt about him tells me he is a winner. He consistently breaks one record after another. He wins more races in one season then some drivers win in a lifetime. He will always have my vote.
jeff is the next upcoming greatest of drivers he has poise patience and desire the years with evernham loomis and letare will continue to make him excell he will become the best of the best because he see’s the air and has the patiences to ride with the wind