Jeff Gordon: Championship and Flames Out In 2010

The machine that took Jimmie Johnson to four consecutive championships may be retooled for Jeff Gordon in 2010.

Hendrick Motorsports will not be focused on team 48 this year as they have been during the past four years.  The focus will change to Jeff Gordon and his flaming #24 car.

Jeff wants that 5th Championship before he retires.  Retirement from Cup racing may not be all that far off.

Dupont has been with him since he joined Hendrick in 1993 as his primary sponsor.  Dupont is scheduled to continue sponsorship through the 2010 season.  The economy has hit Dupont like so many other corporate sponsors causing them to cut back.

Jeff and Dupont are synonymous.  What better time for him to end his career than simultaneously with the departure of Dupont.  It is not known if his primary sponsor will extend their sponsorship beyond this year.

Gordon, Letarte and team 24 will be fast tracked to the Chase and poised for winning the Championship.  They were a potent force behind Johnson and Martin last year. 

Johnson will not win a Championship this year.  It would be detrimental to Sprint Cup racing and NASCAR cannot take that hit.

Jeff Gordon won four Championships under the season long point standings format.  He would have won six had that format remained the same in 2004 and 2007.

He has taken some rough hits while racing which caused considerable back pain for him.  Though his medical condition resulted in a lot of media attention, he indicated it was not serious enough to impact his career. 

With the new rules this season there will be more accidents.  We certainly hope there will not be any serious injuries, but how much of a hit can Jeff take without aggravating the condition of his back?

Gordon has a seemingly perfect life.  He has a gorgeous wife and beautiful little girl.  His popularity is strong and he is successful outside the racing arena.  His foundation has done wonderful things for those in need.

Jeff is a racer and has been since he was a kid.  He began Cup racing in 1993 with his first victory in 1994 and his first Championship in 1995.  He challenged the great Dale Earnhardt Sr. and tied him for 6th in all time Cup wins, 2nd in the modern era.

In 2007 after winning at Phoenix International Raceway, he drove around the track with a black flag bearing the #3 to honor Earnhardt Sr.

The time is now for Jeff Gordon to run for the Sprint Cup Championship and secure it in 2010.  Hendrick Motorsports will do what is needed to get Jeff his 5th title.

If all goes as planned, the beautiful ride with the flaming paint job may be running it's last season.  At the end of this season it may be flames out for the #24.