Gordon talks about future
LAS VEGAS – Jeff Gordon is only 36 years old, but with 16 years of Cup racing behind him, millions in the bank and a baby daughter at home the questions about his future are starting to roll out.
Following the first day of testing at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Gordon addressed the question regarding his future directly. And though he's not yet ready to retire, he has certainly started to think about what's next.
"I think ever since Mark Martin did his [partial] schedule last year I think that that's opened it wide open with what you can do in your future," Gordon said. "I love racing and right now I have a championship-caliber team. I feel like I'm capable of winning the championship. I'm not thinking about anything different. But, when that day comes, I would certainly consider all options, and the partial schedule could be one of them."
Gordon explained that severing all ties with a sport he's been a part of virtually his entire life would be impossible. Still, NASCAR's 36-race schedule, which doesn't include Daytona Speedweeeks, an all-star race and numerous sponsor commitments, is, in Gordon's words, "a tough time."
Gordon said he'd be interested in competing in other forms of racing, including 24-hour races and even driving dirt late-models.
"This is a very grueling season," he explained. "With 38 weeks, all the commitments to our sponsors, it's a tough time. Am I going to want to do that forever? Heck no.
"I only hope that I have the luxury to make that choice on my own to have a partial schedule. That would be a great thing to have that option."
