Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon: Let’s talk racing, not drug testing
Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon is second in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series standings heading into Saturday's race at Daytona International Speedway.
// David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Jeff Gordon was more than happy to share his thoughts on many different topics Thursday afternoon at Daytona International Speedway, but he made it clear he’s tired of answering questions about one issue: Jeremy Mayfield and NASCAR’s drug-testing policy.
When asked how he felt about a judge’s July 1 ruling overturning Mayfield’s suspension for violating NASCAR’s drug policy, Gordon said he supports NASCAR’s current drug policy.
“I have no idea – I am so confused right now at the whole thing that I am going to let it all play out,” he said. “I’ll be honest, I haven’t been following it enough to know what’s going on.
“Leave me out. I support NASCAR in what they’re wanting to do and what they’re trying to do with the drug policy. I think it’s the right thing to do and I support that 100 percent.”
A reporter then asked Gordon if the Mayfield vs. NASCAR court case was hurting the sport.
“I know I’m a driver and I get asked a lot of questions, I appreciate that – you’re asking the wrong guy,” Gordon said, reiterating his stance that he supports NASCAR’s current policy “100 percent.”
Gordon said he wouldn’t have a problem being on the race track with Mayfield.
“I didn’t have any issues with Jeremy on the track [before] … and I don’t think that would change if he was out on the track any time soon,” he said.
Gordon is much more concerned these days with several other drivers, namely the challengers who will battle him in the Chase For The Sprint Cup.
The four-time NASCAR Cup champion, who currently sits second in the series standings, said he doesn’t worry about his current ranking. It’s all about winning races, Gordon said, and earning the 10 bonus points per victory that a driver keeps when the field is reset for the Chase.
“We’re trying to get those bonus points to win races. Because we’re up front in the points, it gives us the benefits of taking more risk as far as strategy and going for those wins," Gordon said. " … I’m fine with being fifth and having five wins right now."
Gordon, who has won six points races at Daytona, knows victory No. 7 won’t come easy at the 2.5-mile track, where restrictor plates and big crashes go hand-in-hand. Gordon has been in his share of those crashes and admits they can take a mental toll on a driver.
“It’s not the funniest thing in the world,” Gordon said. “It’s sometimes painful. Mentally, it can play with you a little bit. I’ve had some crashes where there’s like a brake failure and it’s out of your hands and out of your control.
“You have to rely on your team - and I’m fortunate that I’ve got the best guys in the business - so it helps all those fears go away quickly. When you make a mistake and you end up with a big crash, then it will stick with you for a little while.”
