Jeff Gordon

NASCAR Talladega Auto_Hasc.jpg

Jamie McMurray (1) kicks up dirt as he spins while Jeff Gordon (24), Kevin Harvick (29) and Dale Earnhardt Jr., (88) avoid damage during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

20120909-155853-pic-76482433.jpg

associated press Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon trailed Kyle Busch by 12 points for the final playoff spot entering Saturday night’s race. But Gordon finished second and Busch was 16th at Richmond, allowing Gordon to crack the field for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

NASCAR Pocono Auto Ra_Hasc.jpg

Jeff Gordon (24) races side-by-side with Sam Hornish Jr., (22) during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012, at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. Gordon won the rain-shortened race. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

20120805-200651-pic-536095513.jpg

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series race Sunday at Pocono Raceway was called after 98 of 160 scheduled laps, giving the win to Jeff Gordon over runner-up Kasey Kahne. The deluge forced all of the cars, including Ryan Newman’s 39, to leave the track. (Associated Press)

20110908-161317-pic-903664956.jpg

Jeff Gordon's victory Tuesday at Atlanta was his the 85th of his career, trailing only Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (105). (Associated Press)

APTOPIX_NASCAR_Phoenix_Auto_Racing.sff.jpg

Jeff Gordon celebrates his win in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NASCAR Phoenix Auto R_Star.jpg

Jeff Gordon (24) drives into the fourth turn during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, in Avondale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

NASCAR_Hendrick_Shakeup_Auto_Racing.sff.jpg

FILE - In this Sept. 23, 2008, file photo, Jeff Gordon, left, talks with crew chief Steve Letarte during a testing session at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. Hendrick Motorsports made sweeping changes to its organization Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010, shuffling the lineup for every team except five-time defending champion Jimmie Johnson. Gordon will work with crew chief Alan Gustafson. Letarte will be paired with Dale Earnhardt Jr. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

NASCAR_Gordon_Sponsor_Auto_Racing.sff.jpg

Rick Hendrick, right, owner of Hendrick Motorsports, announces the AARP and the AARP Foundation Drive to End Hunger will be the 2011 sponsor of Jeff Gordon's race car during a news conference at Hendrick Motorsports in Concord, N.C. on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010, as Gordon, center, and AARP Foundation president Jo Ann Jenkins. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)