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In addition to a continuing slump by Dale Earnhardt Jr., what could also contribute to the slide in TV ratings for NASCAR? The early retirement of Jeff Gordon.
Gordon, who is currently sixth on the all-time win list, has commented that his chronic back problems could lead to the shortening of his career. The four-time champ’s departure would leave a large pair of empty shoes that would be difficult to fill.
Second only to Dale Jr. in popularity, Gordon’s immense talent, 82 career wins and telegenic personality have attracted new fans from outside of the Southeast as well as seasoned followers of the sport. Gordon has always represented NASCAR in a fashion that went a long way toward debunking the ugly stereotypes that are often applied to stock-car drivers. He has even accomplished, to a certain extent, what Richard Petty was able to accomplish--having a name that is known by people who don’t follow stock car racing.
Although Gordon has received a tsunami of boos from fans in the grandstands during his career, his income from licensing and endorsements, which was $16 million in 2008, is second only to Dale Earnhardt Jr.
I suppose it’s easy to say that there will always be new talent coming into the sport that can replenish the fan base. But I know fans who haven’t followed the sport with the same intensity since Dale Earnhardt died.
Jimmie Johnson, who is also extremely polished, may be the new Jeff Gordon, but for some reason his popularity hasn’t yet reached the level of the driver behind the wheel of the No. 24 car. Maybe he’s a little too polished. So it’s still unknown if Johnson can reach Gordon’s level of popularity and influence.
Personally, I had hoped to witness a run for the record of seven championships by Gordon. But Gordon is 37 and the contract with DuPont ends in 2010. He has said that he may race two or three more seasons after that, but even if his back problems don’t preclude him from racing until 2013, tying the championship record would be a difficult task to complete.
It’s not as if Gordon needs to keep racing for the money and his new role as a father must be making him consider how much longer he wants to continue to participate in the long, grinding Sprint Cup seasons.
There will always be other drivers who reach the top level of stardom in this sport, but Gordon’s unique talents on and off of the track, that helped to propel the sport into the mainstream, will be difficult to replicate.
Below is a StockcarToon from 1998 about how little respect Gordon was getting from the fans at that time.
First off Jeff has a life time contract with Hendrick Mortorsports Dupont will be with him until 2010 thank you
jeff has been great for this sport. 1 problem for nascar is the idiots who want to see jeff dead in a crash. example, jeff crashed hard at dover's qualifing race, you could hear the cheers very easy thru my tv set, even one of the announcers made a comment about idiots. how you going to take your family to one of these events when your surrounded by these jerks. been a fan of jeff ever since i started watching nascar, don't think i'll feel the same when he retires. i like jr. but something seems missing lately. hope he gets his mojo back.
Glad to see someone caught the mistake in this article about Jeff's contract with Hendrick. All Jeff Gordon fans know he has a lifetime contract. If he has to retire early because of his back then so be it. He will be sorely missed by his fans but he will always be our hero.
Gordon does have a contract with DuPont through the 2010 racing season and a lifetime contact with Hendrick Motorsports. My mistake.
Mike
Jeff retiring will surely be terrible for all of us as fans. I cant even imagine at this point rooting for someone else. Ive been a 24 fan since 94 and i was also a E sr. fan at the same time (thanks to my pops) so it was a bit easier on me after Sr's death because i didnt have to figure that out. But when Jeff finally hangs his helmet up i dont know what i'll do. Jimmie doesnt appeal to me at all. Jr,, well i wont be jumping that band wagon and im sure Mark will be gone by then as well. Maybe stewert, Maybe Keselowski who knows but it wont be an easy adjustment or decision thats for sure!
I am not a big Gordon fan, but I admit that he is a GREAT driver and nascar would be much less than it is right now without him competing if he were to leave
I am forever a Richard Petty fan. Many of his records will likely never be broken. A few years back, I expected Gordon to make a run at 7 championships. He may have one or two left in him, We'll find out. Now it seems Jimmie Johnson is most likely to reach the big 7 or more. I doubt Kyle Busch will be a threat at all over the long run. True Nascar fans will always regard Jeff Gordon as one of the best, and his clean driving style earns the respect of many of us who are fans of other drivers. Hopefully before he retires he will be the third driver to reach 100 wins. He deserves it.