Jeff Gordon: Driver’s council one of ‘coolest things’ he’s seen
Jeff Gordon was a member of the group of driver who met with NASCAR officials Saturday night at Dover. And he’s not understating the importance of the meeting and the drivers’ unofficial organization.
“I’ve got to say I think this is one of the coolest things I’ve seen happen in this sport since I’ve been in it,” Gordon said Friday. “I only wish it had happened long before my final year. I think to have an open line of communication between the drivers and NASCAR. I think we are all on the same page and always trying to pursue the best for the sport, but we have done it in a different way; whether individually you go and have those discussions or it’s happening via other routes. To be able to sit in a room and have a lot of drivers that have a unique perspective on it I thought the panel was fantastic. I thought the openness of the conversation was amazing. I thought that it was all very positive.”
The four-time Sprint Cup Series champion is moving to the broadcast booth in 2016.
Gordon met with NASCAR along with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Larson and Kevin Harvick. The move to speak with NASCAR comes approximately a year after the race team alliance (RTA) was formed as a move for teams to have a collective voice.
The drivers were chosen for the council via a system that took into account performance and manufacturer – hence the number of Chevy drivers on the council. Gordon said his impending departure from the Cup Series was a reason he was hesitant in being involved.
“That was one of the reasons I hesitated in being a part of it just because I wasn’t sure what the terms were and if they wanted me on there I really like the way that we went about choosing the drivers that are on there. I thought having the drivers choose it and having certain categories and ways to go about it. nd just the openness that NASCAR had to pursuing that I think it is awesome. I really do. I think it is one of the greatest things that I have seen.”
He continued and said the move may be in the top 10 of what he’s seen in NASCAR. Really.
“When I look at maybe top 10 things that I see happening in this sport this is one of them … sat in that room and was in awe and just wowed by this step forward,” Gordon said. “I will do whatever they want me to do. There are certain criteria that you have to meet to stay on the panel that you could get voted off if you don’t make the meetings. To me I want to do everything I can to continue to share my passion for the sport and thoughts and ideas and that is certainly a great way to do that. I don’t remember if it ends at the end of this year or if it’s a one year thing from the first meeting. I can’t remember how that all happens, but if they want me I will be on it. If they don’t, I totally understand. There are plenty of great drivers that are going to continue to take that to the next level over the years.”
NASCAR has not yet released the rules package for the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season. After taking away horsepower and downforce in 2015, corner speeds are up. The increased speeds mean drivers are spending less time off the throttle, creating fewer passing opportunities. If big changes are to be made for next season – at the possible urging of the sport’s drivers – the new rules need to be announced soon so teams can start preparing.
You’ll also notice that Brad Keselowski isn’t on the panel. He said earlier in the week he didn’t earn the spot. His teammate Logano is the only Ford driver on the council. Team Penske, Roush Fenway Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports and Front Row Motorsports are all Ford teams.
”I didn’t earn the spot,” Keselowski said this week in Michigan. ”To earn the spot you had to be the highest driver in each respective manufacturer and I wasn’t the highest Ford and the numbers games being what they are with the Chevrolet drivers kind of having control of the senate, so to speak, I wasn’t going to get voted in and I understand that.”
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
