From a teamwork standpoint, Jeff Gordon‘s new day job won’t be that much different from his old one.

“It’s such a team effort,” said Gordon, who is transitioning this year from the seat of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the FOX Sports broadcast booth. “(There are) so many comparisons to what I’ve done as a driver in the sport, as to what I’ve already seen in the broadcast booth, whether it was XFINITY races that I did last year, or working with these guys (play-by-play man Mike Joy and analyst Darrell Waltrip) when we did rehearsal at the Truck race in Texas.

“And then following that up in December and January with a lot of meetings, and talking about preparation and the technology that they’re bringing to the broadcast and just how we’re working together as a team, coming up with great ideas. It’s going to be a lot of fun — I can’t wait to get to Daytona.”

Gordon landed his new job after a phone call to Eric Shanks, president, COO and executive producer at Fox Sports. Though Gordon expressed interest in a broadcasting career, Shanks wanted to make sure the four-time champion was a good fit with the brand Joy, Waltrip and Larry McReynolds have established over the last 15 years.

“NASCAR on FOX didn’t exist before Larry, Mike and Darrell,” Shanks said on Tuesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “They created what the NASCAR on FOX brand is. When Jeff said this was something he was interested in, you do take a step back and say, ‘OK, can Jeff carry on the tradition and be a part of the group of what you guys have done?’ which is fun and entertaining and self-deprecating.

“You look at the drivers that are coming out. How many other drivers have hosted SNL (“Saturday Night Live”), and have gone through make-up to be a taxi driver to freak somebody out in a Pepsi commercial? Getting to know Jeff really well and his brand and how it fits with what these guys have created — I think it’s going to be really special.”

From a teamwork standpoint, Jeff Gordon‘s new day job won’t be that much different from his old one.

“It’s such a team effort,” said Gordon, who is transitioning this year from the seat of the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to the FOX Sports broadcast booth. “(There are) so many comparisons to what I’ve done as a driver in the sport, as to what I’ve already seen in the broadcast booth, whether it was XFINITY races that I did last year, or working with these guys (play-by-play man Mike Joy and analyst Darrell Waltrip) when we did rehearsal at the Truck race in Texas.

“And then following that up in December and January with a lot of meetings, and talking about preparation and the technology that they’re bringing to the broadcast and just how we’re working together as a team, coming up with great ideas. It’s going to be a lot of fun — I can’t wait to get to Daytona.”

Gordon landed his new job after a phone call to Eric Shanks, president, COO and executive producer at Fox Sports. Though Gordon expressed interest in a broadcasting career, Shanks wanted to make sure the four-time champion was a good fit with the brand Joy, Waltrip and Larry McReynolds have established over the last 15 years.

“NASCAR on FOX didn’t exist before Larry, Mike and Darrell,” Shanks said on Tuesday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “They created what the NASCAR on FOX brand is. When Jeff said this was something he was interested in, you do take a step back and say, ‘OK, can Jeff carry on the tradition and be a part of the group of what you guys have done?’ which is fun and entertaining and self-deprecating.

“You look at the drivers that are coming out. How many other drivers have hosted SNL (“Saturday Night Live”), and have gone through make-up to be a taxi driver to freak somebody out in a Pepsi commercial? Getting to know Jeff really well and his brand and how it fits with what these guys have created — I think it’s going to be really special.”

RELATED: More details on new postseason formats | Drivers react to changes

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Let’s cut to the Chase.

 

Starting this year, the NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series will use elimination-based playoff formats to determine their respective champions, just as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series has done for the past two seasons.

 

According to NASCAR Chairman & CEO Brian France, the new approach not only builds on the resounding success of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, but it also provides a training ground for drivers who ultimately will compete at NASCAR’s highest level.

 

“The idea is pretty simple,” France said. “When we looked at how successful the format is with the Sprint Cup Series, and the fact that drivers trying to win a championship in those lower divisions are trying to come up to the Sprint Cup, we know the way to win in the future … you’ve got to beat people, you’ve got to be winning, you’ve got to be in the crosshairs of elimination at any given moment.

 

“And that’s how we want our young drivers, at a very early stage, to understand the latest in the competitive style of NASCAR. So no better way to do that than to have our championship formats consistent, and that’s one of the main reasons we did that.”

 

RELATED: Fast facts on all 2016 changes

 

The Chase formats in the XFINITY Series and Camping World Truck Series will feature seven races each and two elimination rounds before the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but beyond that, they diverge in format. The XFINITY Series Chase starts with 12 drivers, four of whom are eliminated after each three-race round, leaving four drivers to race for the title at Homestead.

 

As with the Sprint Cup Series, the highest finisher among those four drivers in the season finale is the champion.

 

 

In the Truck Series, eight drivers will qualify for the Chase, with two drivers eliminated after each three-race round, again leaving four competitors to run for the championship at Homestead.

 

In detailing the fine points of the two new formats, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said the new format in the two lower national touring series would go a long way toward eliminating “points racing,” particularly in the championship race.

 

O’Donnell pointed out that Erik Jones won last year’s Truck Series title by taking care of his equipment and finishing sixth in the finale, given that he had a large enough lead to play it safe at Homestead. By definition, that will change under the new playoff format.

 

“The culture we want in our sport is to go out there and win the race, and I think everybody here in this room knows Erik Jones is capable of that,” O’Donnell said. “And we’re looking forward to seeing that type of racing when we get to Homestead in 2016, as well.”

 

RELATED: How the points work in new formats

 

 

Chase formats aren’t the only innovations, either.

 

O’Donnell also revealed that NASCAR will implement a “caution clock” in the Camping World Truck Series. If 20 minutes of green-flag racing pass without a caution, the yellow will fly as a competition caution.

 

RELATED: Breaking down the Caution Clock

 

O’Donnell also announced a change to the format of the popular Dash 4 Cash bonus program in the XFINITY Series. After knockout qualifying, drivers will compete in two heat races (similar in concept to the Daytona Duel races in the Sprint Cup Series) to set the order for the main event.

 

RELATED: Heat races also on tap

A 2015 rewind and a 2016 preview for the top five finishers last season in the NASCAR XFINITY and Camping World Truck Series. Today: Chris Buescher, the XFINITY Series championship driver.

Team: Roush Fenway Motorsports No. 60 Ford

Wins: 2 (Iowa and Dover, Del.)

Strides: Having earned an XFINITY Series championship trophy in only his second full-time NASCAR season, it’s fair to say Buescher seized upon opportunity. The 23-year-old did not disappoint, winning two races (Iowa and Dover, Del.) and leading the championship standings for the final 23 of 33 races. He was never farther back than third place in the overall standings all season, and with 20 top-10 runs and 11 top-five showings, he consistently did what was needed to wrap up his first major title.

Setbacks: After missing the 2014 race at Daytona International Speedway (and still rallying to a seventh place overall finish in the standings) Buescher was adamant to make a full season run at the title in 2015, and his runner-up effort at the Daytona season-opener put him atop the standings from the get-go. It’s hard to find much to improve upon when you lead the standings for a total of 26 of the 33 race weekends and turn in good performances at every sort of track.

Quoteworthy: “The coolest thing is having so many people say congratulations and it shows all the years working up to this point was all worth it. I’ve done so many different things to get to this point and it’s so humbling.

“I think a lot of the success this year was based on the fact we had four teams work together so well. That’s unusual with all the moving parts involved and the chemistry we had with all four teams was incredible.”

What’s next: Buescher will get his big break in 2016 driving full-time in the Sprint Cup Series in the No. 34 Ford for Front Row Motorsports, which is in a technical alliance with Roush-Fenway. In six starts with the Front Row team last year, Buescher recorded a best of 20th at California. The new alliance with Roush — which includes both engineering and pit road support — was a can’t-pass-up opportunity for the XFINITY Series champ.

Jeff Gordon made his 2016 season debut with the FOX NASCAR broadcasting team on FS1’s “Race Hub” Monday.

Danielle Trotta and Adam Alexander kicked off the episode with Alexander saying, “We’ve done a lot of shows in this studio, but this is one we’ll remember forever.”

“It’s been a great offseason, but I can’t wait to get to Daytona and be part of the FOX team,” Gordon said.

The Gordon family took a trip to Australia over the competition break, and enjoyed fireworks in Sydney and racing, as well.

Gordon reflected on his final season, in which he was in the hunt for the NASCAR Sprint Cup championship in the Championship 4 Chase race at Homestead-Miami.

“You can’t script it,” Gordon said. “There were struggles. It wasn’t the way I wanted it to go all season, but the Chase … and of course the banquet in Las Vegas. It really was the best of times.”

Watch: @JeffGordonWeb picks his favorite career moments on @FS1‘s #NASCAR #RaceHub. https://t.co/j8anHqeUjX

— FOX SPORTS: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) January 19, 2016

Gordon and fans alike were shocked when actor Tom Cruise introduced Gordon for his speech at the Sprint Cup Awards banquet in Las Vegas.

“I already knew it was going to be an emotional night,” Gordon said. “I was really proud to be on that stage, and I also knew it was a chance to reflect on my career. I’m a planner, though. I like to plan and that truly was a surprise. It was very overwhelming.”

Another surprise from earlier in the season was one of Gordon’s retirement gifts. At Texas Motor Speedway, he received two Shetland ponies for his children, Ella and Leo.

“I was not real thrilled with Eddie Gossage and Bruton Smith at the time,” Gordon said with a laugh,  “But they really have been the brightest gift.”

Gordon said the logistics of pony ownership were interesting, but they have found a stable in North Carolina for the ponies, who are named “Nutella” for Leo’s favorite snack and “Prince,” though Ella may change her mind about her pony’s name.

Gordon also joked that he’s eager to see what promotors/track owners Gossage and Smith might have in mind for Tony Stewart, who is retiring after the 2016 season.

“With Tony’s passion and love for animals …. You never know what’s going to happen,” Gordon said.

Gordon stepped away from driving the Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet after the 2015 season (he doesn’t like the word “retire”) with 93 wins and four championships in NASCAR’s premier series.

Gordon will join fellow analyst Darrell Waltrip and play-by-play announcer Mike Joy when FOX opens the 2016 season with the coverage of SpeedWeeks from Daytona International Speedway. He will help call races, practices and qualifying sessions for the network.