Even without Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports remains confident

Just about everything seemed unmistakably the same. Lined up across the stage inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame were Hendrick Motorsports’ four drivers and the team’s namesake. As it customarily does every year, the team was closing out the final day of NASCAR’s annual preseason media tour.

But there was something noticeably amiss Thursday. As Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kasey Kahne, Chase Elliott and Rick Hendrick discussed the upcoming 2016 season, which begins next month, the man who had been face of the organization for the past two decades was absent.

Now retired, Jeff Gordon did not take part in the Hendrick portion of the media tour for the first time since 1993. And yet, while one of the sport’s greats was not physically present, his presence was felt nonetheless, still a central figure even though he’s no longer turning a wheel.

“He’s like a member of my family and I treasure that and I look forward to that relationship continuing to grow,” Hendrick said. “He’s still a partner (as co-owner for Johnson’s team) and we’re still going to do things together. It’s just the next chapter of our lives together.”

Although Gordon will focus primarily on his duties as a Fox Sports analyst, he will continue to have a role with Hendrick. Officially, Gordon hasn’t even been bestowed with a professional title.

Largely Gordon’s responsibilities entail dealing with sponsors and acting as a sounding board if former crew chief Alan Gustafson or Elliott, the prodigious 20-year-old who Hendrick selected to replace Gordon, has a question. Elliott is the son of 1988 Cup Series champion and NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliot.

“If a team feels like they can use me or need me for anything competition wise to help them, then I’m certainly ready to jump in and help them as well,” Gordon said Tuesday. “My offices are at Hendrick Motorsports, I go there often, I like to peek in on them and see what they’re up to. Most of any input I’ve had so far is with Alan and with Chase, because Chase is a rookie and Alan and I have such a close relationship.”

But day-to-day Hendrick will need to fill the leadership void Gordon’s departure created. Not that should be much of an issue considering Johnson and Earnhardt are entering their 15th and ninth seasons, respectively, with the team. Already Johnson has taken it upon himself to bridge the gap.

“Jimmie has stepped up to the plate to lead the guys and get them together and get the crew chiefs together,” Hendrick said. “He’s worked on getting them to spend more time together.

“Jimmie is really a champion. He does all the things he does personally to get himself in the best shape he can, and he’s put his arm around all three of his teammates and talked about how they can all get better together. I’m really proud of Jimmie.”

Even in spite of Gordon’s absence, expectations have not changed within Hendrick -- meaning, the bar remains high. The team owner wants to see improvement over 2015 where Johnson, Earnhardt and Gordon combined for nine wins, but only Gordon advanced past the second of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. (Kahne went winless and failed to qualify for the playoffs.)

“It doesn’t matter what kind of business you’re in, it’s the kind people,” Hendrick said. “We’re looking out of the windshield, not the rearview. We focus on the championships ahead, not the ones behind us.

“The future is bright.”