Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 4, 1993 TAG: 9312040141
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NEW YORK LENGTH: Medium
The quiet 22-year-old was the consensus 1993 Rookie of the Year in NASCAR's Winston Cup season after coming up with seven top-five finishes and 11 top 10 results.
He started the year by winning one of the 125-mile qualifying races at Daytona and added a pair of second-place finishes during the season.
"I looked at this year as a learning experience and as a chance to do some pretty good things," said Gordon, who was in New York to collect a $25,000 check for his rookie prize at Friday night's black-tie NASCAR awards banquet. "We had a good year, I learned a lot and I had the opportunity to race with the best drivers in the world."
But pressed a bit, Gordon admits he is disappointed his team, one of three fielded by Rick Hendrick, didn't win a race and fell out of the top 10 in the points standings late in the season.
"Well, I felt like we were awful close to a win a few times," Gordon said. "I just thought we'd win a race, and one of our goals was to finish in the top 10 in the points. You like to reach your goals."
One other goal Gordon and crew chief Ray Evernham did reach was winning a pole position, a feat that put them in the Busch Clash in February at Daytona.
"That pole [in October at Charlotte Motor Speedway] was a big thing for our team," Gordon said. "It made us all feel like we were on the right track, going in the right direction. I just wish we could have won a race, too."
Gordon's talent has been compared to that of Dale Earnhardt, who won the rookie title in 1979 and has gone on to win six Winston Cup season titles, including the 1993 championship, and Davey Allison, who was the top rookie in 1987 and went on to become a Daytona 500 winner.
"His age doesn't really have anything to do with it. That Gordon boy is a very good driver," Earnhardt said. "I have no problem racing with him anywhere on any track. He's probably going to win a lot of races and some championships."
The first thing Gordon did in Winston Cup racing was turn what was expected to be a great rookie battle with Bobby Labonte and Kenny Wallace into a virtual one-man show, starting with a fifth-place finish in the Daytona 500 and easily leading the rookie standings the entire season.
"Winning Rookie of the Year was a goal we had all season long and we're happy about winning," he said. "But there was some really great competition from Bobby and Kenny, and they had pretty good years themselves. I'd like to think all three of us have a pretty good future in Winston Cup racing."
Evernham, who has become a mentor and friend, as well as a crew chief, for Gordon, said, "I don't think it's fair to compare great drivers against each other. No one is great across the board, except maybe Dale Earnhardt. But there's only one of him.
"Jeff doesn't like to be compared to other drivers," he added. "He doesn't like to be compared to Richard Petty or Davey Allison. It's not fair to Jeff or those guys. He's trying to be as humble as he can. He'll tell you he doesn't have an God-given talent. He'll tell you he's just driven race cars all his life."
Gordon began driving open-wheel cars in his teens, winning the U.S. Auto Club quarter-midget championships in 1979 and 1981 and going on to win the USAC midget championship in 1990. He moved to NASCAR in 1991 and was the Grand National Rookie of the Year, then won a record 11 poles and three races in the series in 1992 before stepping up to Winston Cup.
"I knew there would be a lot to learn when I got to Winston Cup, but the competition really is incredible," Gordon said. "You can do everything right and still wind up fifth or six or 12th because that many other guys are having a great race.
"But we do have a great owner and a great race team, and our goals are to be competitive, win some races next season and eventually win the championship. I can't wait for next season to get started."
Keywords:
AUTO RACING
by CNB