Chat Transcript: Jeff Gordon
May 22, 2001
12:57 PM EDT (1657 GMT)
[Nascar_Host1] Welcome to NASCAR.com's chat with Jeff Gordon!
[Jeff_Gordon] Good afternoon, everyone and thanks for joining my chat.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [racechick24] What were the adjustments that your team made to the backup car Saturday night? Congratulations on the win, and I am your biggest fan!
[Jeff_Gordon] The biggest thing was just going and getting the car on the scales to find out the weights. I think we changed a few springs and all four shocks. I think we may have even changed a rear end gear.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [firedup] Jeff, after coming off two stellar second-place finishes and then winning The Winston in backup car, would you say that this is just a glimpse of things to come?
[Jeff_Gordon] I certainly hope so! I feel like we have been on a roll lately and I thought after winning the race in Vegas we would win a few since then, but it hasn't happened. We are challenging for the front, and winning The Winston should give us some confidence to win some more races.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [DJFAN] Jeff, are you bringing your Winston car back for the 600?
[Jeff_Gordon] No. That will probably be our backup car for the 600. We have a car that we feel is better for the longer runs. It is a long race and you have to be really good not only the long runs, but also for adjustments from day to night. We think we have an even better car and it is one that we have been racing this year.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Michele24] I read that Ray Evernham was spotting for you during The Winston. Is that true, and if so, how did that come about? Great win on Saturday!
[Jeff_Gordon] I don't know where that rumor came from. I have a great spotter that has been with us since last year. I am pretty fortunate to have one of the best spotters out there, and he was spotting for me Saturday. I am pretty sure that Ray spots for Casey Atwood, so he may have been doing that for The Winston Open.
[Nascar_Host1] Have you done any extra physical training for the Coca-Cola 600?
[Jeff_Gordon] No. We didn't even do any testing over there. We have been testing with Goodyear over the past month or so and those tests have taught us a lot about where we need to be. We feel well prepared, especially from what we learned from The Winston. We will be competitive and have a great shot at winning the race. I am just going to make sure I have plenty of fluids in me to get through that one.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [onfire24] Jeff, we heard rumors last season that you like Formula 1 racing. Any plans for you in the future?
[Jeff_Gordon] I do like F1 racing. I think what I would like to do is get a chance to see them in person. That hasn't worked out in my schedule, but I would love to watch the one at Indy. If the opportunity came up in my schedule and I could do it for a day, sure, I would do it. It doesn't look like my schedule will work for it though, but it wouldn't be for changing careers, that is for sure. I love NASCAR.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Toadman] What has been the biggest challenge since you obtained partial ownership of Hendrick Motorsports?
[Jeff_Gordon] My role today hasn't changed other than more involvement in decision-making. The biggest challenge is learning what is involved in a race team. There are so many decisions to be made and so much goes into putting three competitive teams out there, so I just sorta been a sidekick and learning as much as I can from Rick. Our challenge with the No. 24 team has just been getting new people in place and getting them to click and gel together, and they are doing a great job now.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Pepsi24] Jeff, are you excited about working with Jimmie Johnson?
[Jeff_Gordon] Very excited. I think Jimmie is a great talent. I like the way he handles himself on and off the racetrack. I am looking forward to putting that team together. We need sponsorship right now to finalize things, but we are close. Jimmie has the abilities to be a great Winston Cup champion one day.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [#24fan] With all the young talent we have seen come up in the last few years, how hard is it to stay competitive with them, and of course, the veterans?
[Jeff_Gordon] It is a challenge. These young guys that come up, they push the limits. It forces you to stretch yourself to find new ways to adjust to the new atmosphere. We have been running a lot different springs and shocks to make the new aero packages work better for us. The drivers have to change a lot and it is hard when you are used to one certain setup. I have to adjust my driving style to do what I need to win and be competitive.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Franko] Jeff, in years past your team has used a motto, i.e. "Refuse to Lose." What motto are y'all using this year?
[Jeff_Gordon] We are still using that one! We are waiting for Robbie Loomis to come up with a new motto, but until then it is "Refuse to Lose." We think it is a great motto and we proved that the other night at The Winston by the effort and hard work put into that. We weren't going to give up until it was over.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [gordon] What do you think of all the tempers that flare at short tracks?
[Jeff_Gordon] That is just part of it! When you go to the short tracks, there is going to be close action and bumping and banging, and tempers will flare by the end of the day. You just hold on to your emotions as best as you can, but that is one of the things that makes short-track racing so exciting.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Miami] Jeff, did you feel good about your pit crew getting the credit they deserved at The Winston?
[Jeff_Gordon] Yes! I was so, so happy for them. We had a little trouble during qualifying and they wanted to redeem themselves. They had two great stops to get us out in front and I think that was one of the keys to winning that race the other night. It will be a great confidence booster for them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [RacnFan] Jeff, congratulations on the win at The Winston. What did you think when NASCAR allowed teams to get backup cars, and did you expect yours to have a good chance?
[Jeff_Gordon] I was surprised at first and I didn't even think about that, to be honest with you. I didn't expect them to do that, but when I think about that race and everything that goes on in that situation (with everyone crashing and the rain coming, and because they don't count cautions with the format), the race hadn't started yet. If you had done another type of racing, like F1, you can get your car out. I was certainly happy with the decision, but I had no idea we could win. I didn't know if we could do it with the primary car, but to do it with the backup car was just amazing.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [hi] What's something in your motorhome that would surprise most people?
[Jeff_Gordon] Probably that we have five TVs and three satellite receivers!
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [popski] Jeff, are you making any appearances during Speed Week?
[Jeff_Gordon] No, I am not. I have a lot of business and media things I have to do on Friday. I don't know if any of those are public appearances.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Pepsi24] Jeff, have you done any work on any video games lately?
[Jeff_Gordon] I played some but I haven't done any work on them. I don't have the time to really dedicate to something like that. I have been working on other projects, and now being an owner in this team, that takes a lot of time. I certainly enjoy playing them but I haven't had the time to work on designing them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JasonH_21] Jeff, do you look forward to being on Larry King Live?
[Jeff_Gordon] Yes, I am very excited about that tonight. I had a chance to be on that show before with two other champs, Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty, and we have been talking to them about doing a show on my own and decided that the opportunity is there. Larry is a great host, so I am looking forward to working with him.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [ibfor24] Do you feel that NASCAR should cut out some races so that you and the other drivers can have more free time?
[Jeff_Gordon] I would certainly like that, yes! The sport has grown to new heights and there are a lot of fans around the country that want to see us race. There are markets that are good for supporting the sport, and I like all the tracks, but it would be nice to cut some out to spend time with my family and friends. It is just part of the job that I have and I have to work around it. With as many races as we race today, it is hard to figure out how we can stay competitive and happy. I hope to stay competitive for at least another 8-10 years.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Dialn24] Jeff, as a fan of yours, I am very happy to hear that you are wearing the HANS device. How is that coming along as far as comfort?
[Jeff_Gordon] I have gotten mine really comfortable. They made one just for me and that made all the difference in the world. I have had very little pain or soreness, but the race this weekend will be the true test. Charlotte puts a lot of force on your body, so it will be interesting to see how I feel after the race.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [JG4ME2] Jeff, what do you think about the new racing league TRAC?
[Jeff_Gordon] I don't know a whole lot about it. I saw something about it on TV. I think that these tracks have the need to put more races on to pay for the facilities, and I don't see this one competing with NASCAR. I don't see any NASCAR drivers going over and running any of those races. It is a notch below Winston Cup racing, but it will be a great opportunity for some drivers to get behind the wheel of a stock car, and it is good for the tracks to get another race.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [promisekeepers] Does your mother and stepfather attend many of your races? It was great watching your documentary and seeing the influence that they both had.
[Jeff_Gordon] Yes, they do. They are the ones that got me to where I am today. They attended the Charlotte race and my step-dad works with Action Performance, so he attends a lot of the races. My mom may travel to some of the bigger events, like Daytona or Indianapolis.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [thien24] When you raced in Japan, what do think about the talent of Japanese drivers compared to Winston Cup drivers?
[Jeff_Gordon] I only remember like one driver competing with us, but I can't say that he was in the best equipment, so it was hard to judge. From what I have seen in motorcycle, F1 and Indy car racing, they definitely have the talent. It is about the right opportunity of getting in the right equipment and showing your true talents.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [gocartguy] Are you going to change the colors of your car for next season, or are going to stay with the flames?
[Jeff_Gordon] We made that change to be a permanent change. We hope that it lasts as long as the "rainbow" did. It all depends on the times, the fashions, or whatever it may be. We just want the look to last. The "rainbow" lasted seven years and it was a great look, but it was time for a new one. We had a new attitude and this really reflects our team and their attitude. I really think it looks great.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [raynbow24] Will we ever see you in open wheels again?
[Jeff_Gordon] I don't want to say never! Someday when I retire I will do something for fun. With the schedule that we have, and my commitments to the sponsors and race teams, I just don't have the time. When I do get some time off I want to spend it with my wife and enjoy our lives. That doesn't really allow me to get into another racecar.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Del] Are you going to be doing any more TV commercials for Pepsi?
[Jeff_Gordon] We have some things planned. NBC is doing the second half of the season and Pepsi is doing all their marketing with them instead of FOX. We have some fun things coming up, like promos and commercials, that are going to be a lot of fun and I am looking forward to doing them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Has] With tracks being built all over the United States and most of them being 1.5 miles in length, what type would you prefer to see? Another Bristol-type track or the superspeedways?
[Jeff_Gordon] I prefer to see more Richmonds. Richmond is a perfect shape, size, banking, it holds enough fans and the garage is great. That is what I would put up if I were building a racetrack. There are almost too many 1.5-mile tracks. It seems like that is what we are racing on every weekend now, but I do enjoy them.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Pepsi24] Jeff, as the season reaches halfway, how would you rate your performance so far? What will you do to make the team better in the second half?
[Jeff_Gordon] Win races! I think that we started out really strong and we got off-track at a few places. We made decisions that just didn't work out for us. Now we have a good handle on the new tires and we are keeping up with the changes NASCAR has made with the spring rule. We have some good tracks coming up and we want to carry our momentum from this Winston win. We need to keep our pressure on Stewart, Rusty, Jarrett and just match those guys step-by-step and battle for the championship throughout the rest of the season.
[Nascar_Host1] Question from: [Jibby] What do you think is your strongest asset as a driver?
[Jeff_Gordon] I always like to look at what makes a great driver as someone that uses their head. You know when to be patient and when to be aggressive. I try to do all those things. When it is time to hold on to the position and stay in line and not push the issue, I try to do that. There are so many factors. You have to communicate well with your team for when the track or the car changes. I have worked hard at it and I hope I do a good job at it.
[Nascar_Host1] That's all the time Jeff has for us this morning. Thanks, Jeff! What are your final thoughts?
[Jeff_Gordon] Thanks to all the fans that are online and all the fans that watched Saturday. That Winston race was for the fans and I hope you got a good show. It was fun to go out and win that race and I hope we can go out and do it again this weekend.
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