Jeff Gordon's top speed in Wednesday morning's test was 184.786 mph. Credit: Autostock

Drive for five

Gordon's slogan of '05 focused on fifth Cup championship

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Losing the 2004 Nextel Cup championship has one consolation prize for Jeff Gordon.

A catchy slogan for 2005.

"We were missing something with that," said Gordon, the four-time NASCAR champion. "Now it's 'Drive for Five in '05.' Maybe this will be the year that we'll get it."

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Slogans are nice, but they pale in comparison to a championship race, and Gordon knows it. Losing last year by 16 points pains Gordon, probably more than anyone knows.

"I think it was definitely more intense this past season in Homestead than any season I've been a part of," Gordon said. "There was so much on the line. You were just pushing the car and yourself to the limits. You have to pay attention to more than just one other car and team.

"I feel like we were right there -- so close -- and for most of the race we were leading the points. So it was a little bit disappointing to see it finish the way it did."

Gordon and his No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team, though, seem to have shaken off the disappointment of two months ago. He's been the fastest of everyone during the first session of NASCAR Preseason Thunder testing at Daytona, and Wednesday morning's practice was no different.

Gordon was atop the chart again, turning a fast lap of 184.786 mph, edging Dale Jarrett's 184.509. Gordon was fastest in both sessions Tuesday, and he still holds the best speed overall at 185.448.

Jeff Gordon has been the fastest in each of Daytona's three preseason test sessions. Credit: Autostock

Inside the Numbers Wednesday morning test speeds No. Driver MPH 1. J. Gordon 184.786 2. D. Jarrett 184.509 3. G. Biffle 184.487 4. J. Mayfield 184.411 5. B. Said 184.098 6. E. Sadler 184.004 7. R. LaJoie 183.978 8. K. Busch 183.974 9. M. McLaughlin 183.602 10. R. Newman 183.434 tie M. Bliss 183.434 12. R. Rudd 183.385 13. M. Waltrip 183.367 14. T. Kvapil 183.206 15. C. Edwards 182.879 16. K. Busch 182.704 17. K. Wallace 182.648 18. J. Leffler 182.600 19. J. McMurray 182.519 20. D. Earnhardt Jr. 182.493 21. K. Petty 182.375 22. M. Skinner 181.951 23. C. Mears 181.642 24. M. Shepherd 181.510 25. K. Earnhardt 181.324 26. J. Fuller 178.168

Not only was Gordon first Wednesday morning, he was also third. Gordon's second car, the No. 24b, clocked in at 184.490. That won't count in the cumulative speed chart, but it does indicate Gordon and his team have their restrictor-plate program.

"Things are going well," Gordon said. "I felt like they were going to go well based on my talks with (crew chief) Robbie (Loomis) and the team and the work that's been going on with our speedway car and our motors and everything.

"Over the off-season we felt like we built a car that was a little bit better that the car we had here in July. I felt pretty good about coming into (testing). So far it's going pretty well and hopefully we can keep that going."

Of course, testing at Daytona is only one small step. The championship is won and lost in the Chase for the Nextel Cup -- assuming Gordon makes it in the top 10.

That might be a big assumption for most drivers, but not for Gordon. It's not a given he'll make the Chase, but it's a good bet. He's thought about that over the winter and has come to the conclusion the Chase is a good thing for his career.

"Man, when that race was over I thought about it for the rest of the evening about how close we were," Gordon said. "But after that, I didn't think about it for a long time. I stepped away from it and enjoyed some time off. Then after a little bit of time went by, I started thinking about the points system and our chances to win. One of the things I've opened my eyes to be that, had the points not changed, our chances to win championships would be every few years.

"I feel that with the (Chase), we could win every single year. I say that because our team is very good about being in the top 10. I'm getting a little arrogant by saying that, but I think we're going to be in the top 10 more consistently than a lot of teams out there.

"We're going to have many chances if the points stay the same way. When we do win it, it will be much more gratifying because once you're in the top 10, it's even harder to win it. It takes a lot of things, almost doing everything right."

The intangibles may be out of Gordon's control, but everything else with Gordon's team and program seems to be first-rate.

As for Gordon, he's still plenty confident in his ability.

"I think that skill and experience in these cars is key," Gordon said. "The more they cut off the spoilers, the better us old guys are going to be. It will mean going back to springs and shocks meaning more than aero attitude.

"When it comes to racing, week in and out, experience is key and plays a major role in this sport and off the racetrack where it helps you balance everything out. At the same time, it wears on you. Physically I'm not in the shape I was 10 years ago but mentally I think I'm a better driver and more focused."

Focused on the Drive for Five in '05. Does have a nice ring to it, doesn't it?

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