Jeff Gordon Rules The Road
Dateline: 06/26/2000Jeff Gordon was never seriously challenged over the last half of the race in Sears Point California this weekend and went on to win his sixth consecutive NASCAR Winston Cup road race. Even those who don't care for Jeff Gordon as a driver have got to respect his road course accomplishments.
Just three years ago Jeff was criticized for not performing well on the NASCAR road courses. He had won in every other NASCAR discipline but Sears Point and Watkins Glen victories still eluded him. Then in 1997 Jeff found his way into victory lane at Watkins Glen.
That was only the beginning. Since then, Jeff has never been beaten on a road course. Six straight wins spanning three years and counting. These have not been fluke wins, most of his victories have been dominating performances.
What Happened?
What is it that turns an average road racer into a dominating force? One important factor in road racing is the handling of the car. Most Winston Cup crew chiefs are excellent at making a car turn left. However, setting a car up to handle well on a road course requires a different set of techniques. Ray Evernham has a second sense about how to set up a race car under any circumstances and his influence certainly had an effect on Jeff's road course abilities.
The largest single factor however, is Jeff Gordon himself. In many of the other NASCAR disciplines (plate racing, superspeedways, etc.) a well prepared car can overcome mediocre driving skills. However, in road racing the driver has nowhere to hide and the most dominant car doesn't have a chance without a top notch driver.
Hearing the criticism three years ago, Jeff made up his mind to perform better at Sears Point and Watkins Glen. He learned everything he could about road racing and spent time practicing. Now there is no one better in NASCAR Winston Cup racing at turning right.
Love him or hate him, you have to respect his road racing skills.
