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Winds of change Gordon's race team has new look
Posted: Friday February 18, 2000 02:24 AM
By John Giannone, CNNSI.com DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For seven years, they were the Lennon and McCartney of NASCAR, a melodious duet that captivated their world and basked in their success. Their riches included 47 victories, three Winston Cup titles and $31.3 million in career earnings. But like most great tandems, Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham parted ways five months ago. That hand-in-glove duo is now a work-in-progress trio of Gordon, crew chief Robbie Loomis and manager Brian Whitesell. "I think we are putting together a great package," said Gordon. "It's going to take a little time to get it all to jell but boy, when we do, I think we'll be tough to beat." And for now, Whitesell says it's just a matter of finding the right combination. "We've seen his strengths, he's seen our strengths," he said. "We're just trying to take all those strengths and put them together." As for Loomis, he knows the expectations will be great. "I'm sure that Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon expect a lot of me," Loomis says. "I'm expecting a lot of myself. I don't want to do it the way Ray did it. I want to do it way Robbie and Brian would do it."
Adjustments in attitude and management aren't the only changes. Gone for this week is the trademark rainbow paint scheme from No. 24.. Gone for good are five Rainbow Warrior pit crew members, who defected to defending champion Dale Jarrett. And Gordon is still adjusting to his redesigned Chevrolet. All the turbulence has turned the 28-year-old Gordon in some circles from untouchable to underdog. "You've got to walk before you run," he said, "like we're going to have to take a few steps first. But I'm pretty excited about the way things have come together.
And to sound as if he were firing a warning shot across the competition's bow, he added, "I hope people are underestimating us." Whitesell agreed by advising people not to sell this team short. "You're going to tell me that Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports could not compete for a championship regardless of everything else that happened? I think that would be very foolish for people to underestimate us." Gordon admits all the changes has rekindled his focus and strengthened his resolve to reclaim the title he held three times in the last five years. Gordon's new partners in speed, and specifically Whitesell, say their motive is more simplistic. "My goal like I said is at the end of the day, end of the practice session [is] for Jeff Gordon to get out of the car and say, 'You know, the cars Robbie and the guys gave me at the 24 were the best cars I ever drove.'" Gordon says he to is ready to begin working with Whitesell.
"He's going to call the shots on the box and he'll be getting other information for the driver. And we're just trying to put together that team that is needed to be competitive and consistent. And I think he has been a great addition." From Loomis' perspective, how this team will blend together is all a matter of taste. "They got a plate of food sitting there. Ninety-nine percent of it is a good plate of food. Hopefully I'll be a little bit of salt and pepper to add flavor to it." Evernham's departure has forced Gordon to become more aware and more involved in what happens to his race car in the days leading up to Sunday. Gordon said he'll also adopt a more conservative approach this year, keeping in mind his place in the Winston Cup points race more than trying to dominate every week. The goal is to cut down on the seven DNF's [did not finish] from last year. That's nearly double the total from Gordon's previous two seasons combined.
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