Jeff Gordon having a tough time dealing with Jimmie Johnson's success
By Jeff Gluck - Associate Editor
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Jeff Gordon (right) helped bring Jimmie Johnson into the sport. He admits it’s been tough watching his protégé rise to the top, beating him for the past three series championships.
Mark Sluder
NASCAR Scene
Imagine you’re at the top of your profession and, at the height of your success, you bring a young apprentice into the same field.
The pupil learns from you, the master, and before long, the youngster is out-performing you at your job. In fact, he’s keeping you from promotions or perhaps industry awards and hogging all the glory.
That’s a taste of what Jeff Gordon has gone through with Jimmie Johnson, although the exact situation is still hard to imagine.
“It’s not easy being in my shoes, is it?” Gordon said recently when asked how he’s dealt with Johnson’s success. “Jimmie and I are always going to be really good friends, but we might be better friends 15 or 20 years from now. Because right now, I’m a competitor, like every other competitor out there, that wants to beat him.”
Earlier this decade, Gordon was the one who urged team owner Rick Hendrick to give Johnson a shot. A four-time Cup champion, Gordon hoped Johnson would succeed but had little reason to feel threatened by his fellow Californian.
So Gordon shared everything with Johnson, dispensing advice, relating his past experiences and communicating as a team about the cars.
“I had enough confidence in what I’m doing as a driver that if we get beat, it’s because we’re getting beat by a better team,” he said.
Johnson and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, took all that and transformed themselves into the sport’s most unbeatable unit, perhaps the greatest team ever. Now, the team
Gordon helped establish is threatening to match the No. 24’s championship total – and all in consecutive years, at that.
Gordon has still been highly competitive over the last few seasons, but not at the level he once was. The last four seasons have yielded nine victories (including six in 2007), which marks the leanest stretch in Gordon’s career.
In the same time period, Johnson has won 28 races, three championships and is well on his way to a fourth.
It’s of little consolation that Gordon is part-owner of Johnson’s team, because Gordon himself wants to win badly. And the very guy standing in his way, denying him wins and potential championships (Gordon was runnerup in the 2007 Chase and third last year) is the guy he brought to the Cup level.
All of that frustration, Gordon acknowledged, has impacted his relationship with Johnson.
“It’s definitely affected our friendship, there’s no doubt about it,” he said. “We’re competitors on the race track. I’m not going to go over and pat him on the back and say how great he is and ‘I love you, man’ when I really want to beat him.
“… There’s definitely been some challenging moments and days. It gets harder to go to victory lane and congratulate them when you want it as badly for yourself.”
As to Johnson, he admitted this weekend at Texas that, in some ways, he's surprised by that but in others he understands it.
After all, their personal relationship has evolved through a series of life changes - and competition levels - over the years.
"There's no doubt that over the last few years competition has been more intense," Johnson said. "We've been racing for championships. It was a lot easier when I was a rookie needing assistance and help. We spent a lot of time together then. I guess we were both single and not married at that point, too, having a lot of fun. So that certainly helped.
"But, you know, I think we still have a very strong friendship. He's probably right in the respect that as competitive as we are, what we're racing for, what we're both trying to accomplish in our professional careers, it does strain the friendship side. I'm not sure if 'strain' is the correct word. There's less focus on the personal side and the friendship side. It's more of a working relationship."
Johnson is quick to credit Gordon for his role in developing and maintaining both sides of that relationship - and points out that the two still share a high level of friendship and respect.
"I look to him and give him a lot of credit over the years, how the friendship and the working relationship has worked," Johnson said. "As a young guy coming in, I think he being the veteran, the wiser one of the two of us, more experienced, depending on how he handled things would set up how I would react and act myself. I looked to him for so many things.
"Through it all, there's been a great deal of respect. It's still there today. I guess at some point he's probably right, I think our friendship will be closer when we're both hanging the helmet up and retired and things like that.
But there isn't any issues with our friendship. We're still great friends. Our lives have changed a lot. He's married. I'm married. He has a young daughter he's raising, all that kind of thing, too. I don't think that the competition has been responsible for all of it, you know. There's just been things change in life, you go different directions, all that. The respect is still there. I think that shows. That's the most important thing."
Gordon, too, points out that respect.
In recent weeks, Gordon has said he’s felt his cars are “second class” compared to Johnson’s, and has grown tired of answering questions about why his team isn’t performing at the same level despite having the same resources and equipment as Johnson’s.
The fact that Gordon sees everything the No. 48 team does and knows all the setups, driving styles and data, “make it even more frustrating when you’re getting beat,” he said.
Despite that, Gordon said he continues to believe in “myself and my own experience and skills and our team.” He’s certain he can beat Johnson and is intent on making it happen.
It’s all part of a “tough balance” with his teammate and longtime friend, he said.
“At the end of the day I respect him, I know the story of how he got there and I think he’s a great guy and a great race-car driver,” Gordon said. “That team has pushed all of us in the sport to be better, to push ourselves harder and to step up. So I’m thankful for that and I don’t have any regrets about anything.”
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30 responses to "Jeff Gordon having a tough time dealing with Jimmie Johnson's success". Post a Comment.
Rainier said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 9:37 AMGordon must feel like an older brother who's little brother is all grown up and now has the upper hand. I'd like to see Gordon back on top someday, but unfortunately I'm a 48 fan, so not too soon I hope.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportCarol-88-fan said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 9:46 AMI know this won't happen, but I'd like to see Jimmie with another crew chief for a year. I'd like to see if it's more him or Chad. I'm not saying Jimmie isn't that good, but Chad is probably the best since Ray, maybe even better.As for Jeff he's already proven he's great. He doesn't have to worry about taking a back seat to anyone.I'm a Dale Jr fan and I've said before that I think only two active drivers have earned the word great so far, Jeff and Tony.Of course I do believe Dale Jr will be.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportgthom56978 said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 12:38 PMJJ is a good driver but I have to give most credit to Chad. Friendships should not fail.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportamalycke said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 12:57 PMOther teams having a touugh time are ALL of the Start and Park teams, brand new financial stats of newer NASCAR teams can be easily viewed at: http://startandparkstats90.blogspot.com/
Report as AbusePRISM and TRG also included for you hardcore racefans.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdale said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 3:40 PMHey amalycke, enough with your spam already.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdale said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 3:41 PMJJ just nailed the wall, no win for him today. I wonder how close the points will be at the end of the race today. Could this give Jeff a chance?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 3:42 PMthis chase just came back to life. I think Gordon will win or finish top 3.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 3:43 PMJohnsons luck just ran out, as they run 31 point lead, things just got exciting!!! Go Mark Martin...
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» Confirm Abuse Reportasanchez008 said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 3:52 PM"Gordon was runnerup in the 2007 Chase and third last year"
Report as AbuseHey Jeff Gluck, Gordon didn't finish third last year, Greg Biffle did. Might wanna check that.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportwmvjr1960 said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:13 PMJeff is cemented in history as a whiner. Just heard this morning it was his complaint to Helton that got the Talledega bump/draft rule done. He has plenty of money, fame, and now a family. He should go quietly, and soon. If you can't stand the heat, leave the sport. Jeff is past his prime.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:19 PMHornisch got loose under Johnson, hit him once, Johnson saved it, then Hornisch finished him off. Johnson should buy Keselowski a case of beer for wrecking the 5, 24, and the 42 last week.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:26 PMYeah I agree him complaining to Helton was a whimpy move and whats worse was that Helton didn't hesitate to act. It backfired big time so hopefully they learned from that, drivers and fans wont put up with Nascar's ever changing rules and power/control struggles.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:30 PMActually Rainier watch it again, the first hit was the 77. Johnson manages to hold on to it and get it corrected but instead of holding it up high and scraping the wall he must have jerked the wheel slightly sending him down into the 77 and then hard into the inside wall.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:37 PMI should have said Johnson almost saved it, before he could, the 77 clipped him again.
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» Confirm Abuse Report4EVER3 said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 4:48 PMLooks like there is a chase again!Mark or Jeff may have a chance.Maybe even Tony.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 5:19 PMGordon was on the radio yelling about debris and they throw the caution to keep him from going a lap down. I wonder if the debris came from the 24 car??? He must have eagle eyes going that fast with all thats going on around him to spot a tiny piece of junk.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdtk1952 said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 6:15 PMNow Gordon probably knows how Terry Labonte felt when Gordon came to Hendricks and started getting all the goodies. Cry, Jeff, cry.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportocgrandad said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 6:23 PMHey Jeff, the only problem with the 24, in my opinion, is the crew chief! The sooner someone else reaches the conclusion that LeTarte simply doesn't have any idea how to get more speed out of the 24 the 24 will be a lot more competitive.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRainier said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 6:24 PMBoy was my prediction about Gordon's performance tonight wrong.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 6:46 PMMarks the only one still in contention right now, I pray he doesnt run out of fuel. Jr's having a good run and I hope he can get the good finish to reflect it for a change. Letart is a good crew chief but he is no Chad Knaus.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 7:10 PMWell I spoke too soon on Jr, typical race runs good only to finsih bad. Who ever make the call to stay out was a moron, I knew there was no way Jr could make it. Good run for Mark, Gordon salvaged 13th. Johnsons lead shrunk some so all in all it wasnt a terrible day.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 7:13 PMBest
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobby said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 7:17 PMSorry, I accidently hit the enter key too quick. I meant to say best of all Kyle Bush didnt get to set a record that would be hard to beat. I will give props to Rogers for doing so well in his first race, Kyle had a dominant car.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMeg said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 8:24 PMWhat an awful race Jeff ran today.. They don't deserve the championship running the way they did today in Texas.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSheilaLovesNASCAR said:
Nov 8, 2009 at 8:47 PMTexas has always been bad for Jeff. I'm surprised he finally won in the Spring. I knew he couldn't sweep it. Jimmy may just go on and get more wins and championships than Jeff. He and Chad have the chase figured out. Without Ray, Jeff isn't the same driver. Jimmy is the new Jeff. It sure was fun to see Kyle not do it.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkylestewart said:
Nov 9, 2009 at 9:28 AMactually sheila no it wasn't fun to see kyle not do it. he had the best car and unfortunately they came into the pits too soon to get gas otherwise he would've accomplished something no other driver ever has. but if that was jeffey or someone else going for it there would've been a debris caution to let them come in and top off.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmom said:
Nov 9, 2009 at 10:28 AMAww poor Jeff. To him, it's all about him.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmarkg said:
Nov 9, 2009 at 11:06 AMI've been a Jeff Gordon fan for over 10 years, and frankly I'm disappointed in his performance in the past few years. If the student is outperforming the master, then the master needs to step up his game.
Report as AbuseJJ and Chad have a winning team because they have a good relationship, they understand each other. Jeff has not done well since Robby Loomis left.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkcysr said:
Nov 9, 2009 at 5:12 PMWhats Gordon have to say about a 50 year old Mark Martin kicking his butt most weeks. It's a good thing he did not talk Rick Hendrick into hiring Tony Stewart he would really be crying.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportmarkg said:
Nov 10, 2009 at 3:21 PMJeff doesn't have that drive anymore....
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