Jeff Gordon seeking ‘poetic justice’ championship in final season

It was during a jaunt to the Florida Keys prior to the 2004 season when Jeff Gordon first heard NASCAR was considering a drastic overhaul of how it determined its Cup Series champion.

Standing alongside NASCAR chairman Brian France and then-president Mike Helton on a Key West dock, Gordon was informed by the executives that the system in place since NASCAR’s inception, in which drivers accumulated points throughout the duration of the season, would be re-crafted to give the sport a quasi-form of playoffs.

“They told me what they were planning on doing with the Chase format and I laughed in their faces because I thought that was the most hilarious thing I have ever heard of,” Gordon said. “Because I thought it was a joke, then I quickly realized that was not a joke and I was pulling the laughs back into my mouth.

“I was like, ‘Are you serious?‘ And they said, ‘Yes.’”

Understandably, Gordon “didn’t like” such a rapid departure from the traditional method of winning a championship, which he had done in 1995, ‘97, ‘98 and 2001. The consistency required to sustain a high level suited him, not to mention the final 10 tracks that would make up the Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff were not among his best.

NASCAR enacted the changes to its Chase that offseason, and has since introduced multiple adjustments. The latest incarnation implemented last season includes a 16-driver field and four rounds featuring eliminations every three races, culminating with four drivers competing in a virtual winner-take-all championship finale.

And Gordon’s opinion of the Chase has since changed.

“When I look at the sport from 10,000 feet I love it and think it is exciting,” Gordon said. “And with this new format, I think it is even better. I will continue to support it, always have, even when it hasn’t suited me. I think that I try and not be that selfish and think of what is best for the sport. At the end of the day, what is best for the sport is best for me, best for the team, best for all teams.”

If Gordon lashed out at the playoff format it wouldn’t be without justification. Three times he’s dominated and led the points during the regular season (2004, ‘07, ‘14) and didn’t end the year in the same position. And not once has he won a championship in the Chase era, finishing runner-up once (‘07) and third twice (‘04, ‘09).

Had NASCAR not instituted the Chase, it’s not far-fetched to think Gordon would have more than the four titles he currently holds. Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt co-hold the Cup Series record with seven championships each.

“Everybody races differently under each point system and does what it takes,” Gordon said. “So I don’t know if we can all sit here and speculate and talk about things and wonder what could have been if the old point system would have stayed the same.”

Now in his final year before retirement, Gordon might gain a modicum of satisfaction as he’s qualified for the final round despite having a rather subpar regular season. The No. 24 team went winless and underwent some tense moments including a terse radio conversation with crew chief Alan Gustafson during the June race at Pocono Raceway.

But Gordon’s performance improved considerably once the Chase began. He’s scored more points than anyone and earned automatic advancement to the championship round by winning Nov. 1 at Martinsville Speedway, providing a chance to finally obtain that elusive fifth championship under a format that’s often worked against him.

“That would be the ultimate, most poetic justice ever,” Gordon said.