Jeff Gordon to become a legend?

Question

Here are the stats from Jayski.com.

Gordon vs Petty before 30 years of age: Jeff Gordon, who turned 30 Saturday, has 56 career victories — 55(in 277 starts) before the age of 30. Richard Petty had 56(in 332 starts) career wins before the age of 30(USA Today). Petty had one Winston Cup Championship before the age of 30 and won it in 1967 when he turned 30. Gordon had 3 championships before 30 and is currently leading the points. Dale Earnhardt had 8 wins and one Championship before he turned 30 in 1981(8-7-2001).

But im sure there will be someone who says he suxs. LOL

Answer 1

You really can't judge someone of today against of 10, 20 or last year. Something is different. Last year no COT cars, this we got then. So is Jeff Gordon a legend or going to be a legend. Don't know but, he going to be 1 of the best drivers of all time.

Answer 2

Actually Jeff Gordon has 79 career wins, 225 top fives, 303 top tens, and his birthday is August 4 , when he will be 36 this year, his first cup race, was November 1992 at Atlanta, and his first cup title was in 1995, while he was still under 30, and has 4 championship titles, and there is more info if anyone wants to know, go to http://www.nascar.com/news/headlines/cup/gordon.j.bio/



But in my opinion and many other's, Jeff Gordon is already a legend.

ok, I guess I missed the part about the stats b4 the age of 30, for which I apologize........but I do have many books about Jeff Gordon, and I have a 8x10 magnet photo of Jeff Gordon that says, "Wonder Boy Grows Up" from the Richard Petty Museum.

Answer 3

Gordon already is a legend IMHO. If you count only the "Modern Era" (1972- ), he's one of the top guys along with "3" & DW.
Even with that aside, he's stood the test of time. He wins, he has a popularity transcends the sport. In fact, I think he's more popular outside the sport than he is IN it.
No disputing though- he will never be quite the legend the Intimidator was, I'll be the first to admit it as a 24 fan.

Answer 4

I don't dislike or am I a big fan of Gordon's but I would say he will be known as one of the best someday. I have read above that many feel there was no competition or no one but Petty had any technology back in Petty's era. You couldn't be more wrong. At that time you had many factory backed teams that had truck loads of money pumped into them. Ford had Holman Moody, Mercury had the Woods Brothers, Plymouth had Petty. Chevy was too slow and couldn't make the show. If you look at the drivers, those guys were the real deal.They didn't need to bump draft because they knew how to get around someone. Plus they weren't these pretty boy types , they were real men.

Answer 5

I agree, the stats speak for themselves. But as others have stated, you cannot really compare them because of all the changes that have come with the evolution of the sport. I am not a Gordon fan, but he is an excellent driver and has made quite a name for himself. Whether he surpasses the old records, made in the older cars, with a lot less technology, and a LOT less Nascar rules and regulations, doesn't really matter. No one will ever forget him, and he will set his own records to be broken in the future by younger drivers with newer technology (if we survive the COT...lol). Whether I like him or not, I cannot deny that his name is on the list for all time best drivers and I say good for him.

Answer 6

WHOA WHOA WHOA HOLD UP A SECOND!!!!! first of all yes Gordon is a great driver (BOO!!!!!) but your comparing apples & oranges. Petty raced back in the day against a bunch of old country boys who didnt have the money, sponsers, and cars that Richard had (it was basically like Jeff racing against all the guys form the truck series now he would win most of the races) & as for Dale Earnhardt Sr he didnt even get into the big leages of NASCAR untill he was in his late 20's and Jeffs been in the big leages of NASCAR since he was about 20 so you cant compare them that away Im a huge Earnhardt fan (to my other Earnhardt fans please dont hate me for this) but Jeff Gordon is a great racer & by the time hes done racing he probably will be the best ever just b/c Dale Earnhardt Sr died & wont have the chance to win anymore races or championship for that matter & if he wouldnt have died I know he would have won alot more races & mabe 1 or 2 more Championships so untill Jeff wins 7+ championship dont go putting him on a pedestal as the greatest driver ever (GO DALE JR!!!!!!)

Answer 7

I think he already is a legend. Look its one thing not to like the guy. (I never cared for dale Sr but I had to admit he was great) to say he sux when he has won 4 championships and is having the year he is having now, is just dumb or mean. I love the guy he is one of my sport heroes

Answer 8

This is old, you can't compare Gordons era to Pettys, don't forget back in Pettys era they ran like what 50 races a year competion today is much toughter then it was back then. Years ago only 2 or 3 cars had competiable technology and equipment

Answer 9

Naw Jeff doesn't suck at all,but I find trying to compare different eras very hard to do.Its like this if Jeff raced at the same time as richard would he also have 200 wins? I don't have a clue,but I know this if Richard raced during Jeff's career The King wouldn't have 200 wins either.

Answer 10

You don't need any of those stats because he's already somewhat of a legend as it is. After he retires he will surely rank among the best NASCAR drivers of all time. I've never liked him that much but he's the best driver on the circuit.