For years, Jeff Gordon was a person that many owners, drivers, and especially the fans, loved to hate.
Gordon, nicknamed “The Wonderboy,” by the late Dale Earnhardt, was a fierce competitor, who like Earnhardt, had his own way of being an intimidator.
No, Gordon will never be “The Intimidator,” as there is only one. However, Gordon in his early years, seemed like the bully that intimidated many drivers in the garage, including Earnhardt.
It has been over a decade since Gordon last won a championship (2001). Questions have been raised for several years about Jeff’s desire and if he still has that passion to race, like he did during his earlier years of success.
We know that the desire is still there, but Jeff needs to ignite the fire again.
How does he do that? He steps into the time machine and becomes the old bully he once was, not taking crap from anyone.
Growing up as an avid Gordon fan, I loved the fact that Jeff was one of the most hated drivers in NASCAR. I never understood why people hated him, because we all know his resume’ speaks for itself: 4 championships, 3rd in all time wins, and the list goes on.
While successful, Gordon managed to piss off a lot of fans with his winning and his style, drivers too, but with his words and actions.
“Well I’ll slam you straight into the wall the next time you’re anywhere near me.”
Those were the words that Gordon shouted at fellow driver Tony Stewart after the two voiced their displeasures with each other after a race at Watkins Glen in 2000.
“I owe you now buddy,” said Gordon.
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| Gordon vs. Kenseth at Chicagoland Speedway |
That intensity is the reason I became a Gordon fan. He didn’t take any crap and would show you either to your face or by using his front bumper on the track.
So far in the 2012 Sprint Cup season, I have been highly disappointed with Jeff on two occasions for not showing that ferocious mentality he once had.
Early in the race at Phoenix he came on the radio and complained about how Juan Pablo Montoya was racing him. Rather than taking care of it himself, the message was relayed to the 42 team that Gordon wasn’t happy.
Maybe Jeff understood that’s just Juan, but not sending Joey Logano a stronger message in Vegas last weekend, showed that the fire is going out.
“There’s going to be a caution soon if this dumb f***** doesn’t get out of the way,” said Gordon, as Logano seemed to be holding up the faster car of Gordon during the race.
Years ago, rather than relay messages, Gordon would have let his front bumper do the talking, moving drivers out of the way or sending them for a spin.
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| The famous bump and run, by Gordon to Rusty Wallace with 3 laps to go in 2002 at Bristol Motor Speedway |
Drivers like Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Rusty Wallace, and others can testify to that. Insert your story here….
Jeff Gordon had his own way of intimidating drivers by letting them know that he was the wrong driver to make angry on the track. He’d do that by force on the track or he’d get in their face and truly let them know.
Jeff Burton can attest to this, as the two had a physical skirmish following a wreck in 2010 at Texas Motor Speedway.
We all know that Jeff Gordon is a talented driver and can be a threat to win any week, but the intimidation factor seems to have worn off a bit. The scuffle with Burton was evidence that Gordon still has it in him, but it’s hidden deep inside.
Now I know that bullying is wrong, but if bullying is wrong, Gordon doesn’t need to be right.
When will those days return? The days when Gordon, not a Busch brother, is the most booed driver during the prerace introductions at most tracks. The days when he made drivers fear him on the track for what he may do. Simply put, the old days. 
For the flock of Gordon fans throughout the world, we have been waiting for the 24 team to rise up and be the force they once were. The hope is still there, but we’re running out of time.
Dale Earnhardt was “The Intimidator” who won 7 cups. Jeff Gordon was once an intimidating bully, so will the real Gordon please stand up.
This weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway seems like the perfect place to start. As we know, some of Gordon’s best stories seem to happen there.
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