What Does the New Year Have in Store for Jeff Gordon?

In 2008, four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon made the Chase for the Championship, but he ended the season in seventh position. Unbelievably, he also completed the season without a single race win.

So, what does 2009 have in store for Gordon? Will the New Year bring changes or more of the same struggles for the driver of the Dupont Chevrolet and his team?

Gordon has already announced some of what will be news for his Hendrick Motorsports team in 2009. Here are some of Gordon's New Year highlights, including some of the changes coming to the team in the 2009 racing season:

1.  New paint scheme:  The biggest change for Jeff Gordon will be his new paint scheme for 2009 (see picture accompanying this article). 

Gordon announced at the end of this season that his new car will feature a yellow nose, new "tricked out" flames, and primary black as the base for the entire paint scheme on the car.  As Gordon says, you will definitely not be able to miss him out on the track in the New Year.

2.  New sponsors:  Gordon's car will not only be sporting new colors, but also new sponsors.  Nicorette has been reported to have either left the team or only signed on as an associate sponsor for the 2009 racing season. 

Their sponsorship will be replaced the National Guard, a major partner of Hendrick Motorsports and sponsor of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  Dupont and Pepsi will continue as major sponsors of Gordon's number 24 in the New Year.

3.  New teammate:  Jeff Gordon, in addition to current champion Jimmie Johnson and fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr., will also have a new teammate in 2009.   Mark Martin will be joining the team, replacing Casey Mears in the No. 5 Hendrick car.  Martin will be running his first full-time schedule in several years.

4.  Major honor:  On Jan. 16, 2009, Jeff Gordon will receive a major honor.  He will be inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in Tulsa, Okla.  Gordon, who started his career in this racing venue, will join others in this honor as part of the New Year’s Chili Bowl festivities.

5.  New venture:  Jeff Gordon will also take on a new challenge in the New Year, doing a voice over for Speed Racer" The Next Generation: The Fast Track.  Gordon will voice the character of Turbo McAllister in this popular series, soon to be released in DVD.

6.  Another new venture:  Gordon continues to branch out off the race track in the New Year, "starring" in the NASCAR Kart Racing for Wii.  Fans will be able to race against Gordon and several other NASCAR drivers in this new Wii version due to be released in February 2009.

7.  New hologram:  Jeff Gordon will also be introducing a new hologram in the New Year.  This will protect the champion's signature, guaranteeing that it is authentic.  Sadly, in these days and times, these special measures are needed, especially for some of NASCAR's biggest stars like Gordon.

8.  Salary cut:  With the economy tanking and recession continuing to loom for 2009, there have been several rumors of drivers willing to take cuts in pay. 

Jeff Gordon has offered to help his team and his company by taking a salary cut if needed.  There is no doubt that Gordon will do so in 2009 if this will help Hendrick Motorsports survive these most difficult times.

9.  The Jeff Gordon Foundation:  There is also no doubt that, especially during these most challenging times, Gordon and wife Ingrid will continue to work hard to raise money for the Jeff Gordon Foundation. 

In fact, there will be special promotions around Gordon's Speed Racer "appearance" in order to generate funds for children's charities supported The Foundation.

10.  Ella Sofia:  Probably the best part of Jeff Gordon's New Year will be continuing to watch his little girl grow and mature.  This past year has seen major changes in Gordon's daughter, including a few new teeth and new-found mobility. 

There is no doubt that soon, Ella Sofia will not only find her voice but also may find the "terrible two's".  In any case, Gordon will most likely relish each and every minute of the changes that will occur in 2009 for his one and only daughter.

So, what's new for Jeff Gordon in 2009?  There seems to be quite a bit that is new even though the New Year, and the new season, have not yet officially arrived. 

Yet, fans of the new and improved No. 24 car will most likely want only one thing in 2009 and that's to see Jeff Gordon win a race.  Surely that will be on the top of Gordon's New Year's resolutions as well.

And a "Drive for Five" championship in 2009 would not be too bad either.