It's not true that when Jeff Gordon won at Texas Motor Speedway recently, it marked the first time in 48 races that he had visited Victory Lane.

Victory Lane at a real track, sure.

But he's been the center of attention in many virtual Victory Lanes in the last year or so. Gordon admits that he has an affection -- prior to becoming a father, he might even have called it an addiction -- for video games. He talked about his passion for Rock Band and other games recently.

Q: So how serious did you get about playing Rock Band?

“

I always wanted to play the drums, man. But it just never happened. I was never very good at any kind of instrument. I think that's a very good bucket list item -- to learn to play the drums.

”

JEFF GORDON, on "Rock Band"

Gordon: Definitely when I had time to myself on the bus during the weekends, I was doing Rock Band. This year I've kind of moved on to Wii. And it's really cool, the technology that they have. I still love Rock Band. I just haven't had the time. Honestly, over the offseason, I didn't play one single video game because I was just being Dad.

Q: So being a father has changed your video gaming habits?

Gordon: The only time I ever play is in the bus, and that's because they [wife Ingrid and daughter Ella] don't come until Sunday to most of the races. So if I have a spare hour or two, that's when I do that.

But I also like to cook my own dinner and grill out and all that, so these days, the way the schedule is working out, there is very little time for video games.

Q: You can start playing them and get lost for a couple of hours real quick, can't you?

Gordon: I understand why so many parents kind of frown on them -- because it's so easy to get addicted and spend hours and hours that probably could be used in some better ways. So I try to limit myself on how much I play. But I usually will stick with one type of game until I have either mastered it or gotten all my fun out of it.

Q: What drew you to Rock Band?

Gordon: I like the drums, so I play Rock Band. I always wanted to play the drums, man. I actually had a drum set when I was younger, and always wanted to take lessons and everything. But it just never happened. I was never very good at any kind of instrument.

I think that's a very good bucket list item -- to learn to play the drums. It's amazing what you can do with anything when you practice it. I might be able to play them if I had the time to practice. (Continued)