CBS SportsLine
Chat Transcript
October 2, 1998

Two-time Winston Cup point champion race driver Jeff Gordon made a pit stop into the CBS SportsLine chat room to talk about his success on and off the track.

Find out what Jeff had to say in the full transcript of his chat below.

Question: Hello Jeff, I wanted to ask how you feel about being a role model for the younger fans of NASCAR? My 5yr old daughter adores you. Thank you for keeping your cool when Rusty hit you, she was watching! :-)

Jeff Gordon: Thank you, I think that being a role model is very important for anybody who is in the spotlight especially athletes today. A lot of children look up to those people, and part of what I do is being a role model. I think it's great to be a role model and not have to be the bad guy to succeed in this world. Good people are successful and I hope that's the type of image I'm portraying out there.

Jeff Gordon: Hello everybody. We're excited to have you online!

Question: What cars are the toughest for you to get around on the track--Chevies, Fords, or Pontiacs?

Jeff Gordon: It just depends on which team or which car has a good setup that day and is really running good. Every weekend it's somebody different. Mark Martin and his Taurus has been the most consistent car we've had to battle with.

AOLiveMC13: Maybe this next one is for Brooke...

Question: Are you & Brooke considering a family anytime soon?

Jeff Gordon: Brooke here, as soon as we know we'll be sure to let you the fans know. We both love children and we definitely want to have a family. But we're content right now with the two of us being able to travel and experience a lot of great things right now.

Question: I was at the last Pocono race, how tough was Dale for you to pass and how did you react to the "bump" he gave you?

Jeff Gordon: I got a funny story about that... I just recently got a photo from the photographer at the track, where you can see Dale pushing at the rear bumper and see my hands correcting on the wheel. You can see Dale and myself. I sent it to Dale and had him autograph it. Dale is a tough driver and you know he's tough to pass. I eventually got by him and we were able to win the race.

Question: Do you set your car up to run on two fresh tires at the end of the race?

Jeff Gordon: Ray will take this: A lot of that depends on what the track and the position that you're in. If you're going to take 2 tires rather than 4 tires, you have to make adjustments at that time. You don't set up a car to run 2 tires. If you are going to do that, you'll have to make adjustments at that time.

Question: Why do you think Race Fans either love or dislike you? Is driving in NASCAR still thrilling for you, or have you grown to look at it as a job?

Jeff Gordon: I think it's definitely a thrill for me. I think I've got the greatest job in the world. There are days I feel like I got to work, like days this past week in Martinsville. Still I love it and the team I'm involved with makes it a lot of fun. Getting to go into victory lane is what it's about. It is definitely the best job a person could ask for as well as the most fun.

Question: Hello Jeff, I wanted to ask how you feel about being a role model for the younger fans of NASCAR? My 5yr old daughter adores you. Thank you for keeping your cool when Rusty hit you, she was watching! :-)

Jeff Gordon: Thank you, I think that being a role model is very important for anybody who is in the spotlight especially athletes today. A lot of children look up to those people, and part of what I do is being a role model. I think it's great to be a role model and not have to be the bad guy to succeed in this world. Good people are successful and I hope that's the type of image I'm portraying out there.

Question: Jeff, how successful will Hendrick be in your new Busch car in 99 and can he make the adjustment from ARCA quickly?

Jeff Gordon: Ray will take this. First of all Ricky doesn't run the ARCA series, he runs the late model stock series in the SE. I'm sure he'll be very successful in the goals we set for him. We don't expect him to win 5 races next year. The goals we're going to set for him will be to qualify for the races, don't get in trouble and I'm sure he'll be able to attain those goals.

Question: What is your favorite track to race on?

Jeff Gordon: I get asked this so much, I think that we race on so many tracks and each one has different things about it that I love and things that I dislike. But for an all around track, I'll pick Michigan. It's so wide, and there is always room to pass. At this last race at Michigan, I didn't know why it was my favorite because I hadn't won there, but now that I have is especially one of my favorites.

Question: Jeff, this may sound weird, but as a track racer also, how do you fight fatigue, especially knees and ankles??

Jeff Gordon: The most important thing is fluid. Trying to drink as many fluids so you don't get dehydrated. Work close with the team to try and get as much air in the car and another problem that we fight is carbon monoxide. I have a filtered air system into my helmet that helps me breath fresh air instead of Carbon monoxide. Staying in shape is really important as well.

Question: Jeff do you do any special training in off-season? Jeff, How do you explain being able to run out of the draft at Daytona when everybody else has to stay in it or fall behind?

Jeff Gordon: You'll have to watch next weekend.

AOLiveMC13: Here is one for Ray:

Question: Ray, why don't all of the pit crewmembers wear eye protection?

Jeff Gordon: The more and more that you see Pit stops getting driving faster and faster, the more you'll see people wear protection. It's left up to the crew to wear it, it's due to sparks and dust flying up off the tires. I recommend it to all my guys. Again, it's up to them.

Question: What do you do after a race? Are you completely wiped out or what?

Jeff Gordon: It depends on the track. Obviously the short tracks and the road courses are the most demanding and physical. This past weekend was very hot and you saw a lot of drivers after the race collapsing. Afterwards I stay! Just try to cool my body down with wet towels, might even take a little oxygen. Drink a lot of fluids, and eat a lot of food that night. It takes me at least a day or two to recuperate.

Question: Did you ever play NASCAR RACING, the computer game?

Jeff Gordon: I have, but I'm more interested in my game I'm designing with ASC games - Jeff Gordon Racing. That NASCAR game is more NASCAR racing. My game is set more in the future and it's very competitive and enjoying racing and gaming.

Question: What is your biggest fear in racing? Amanda Creech, North Carolina

Jeff Gordon: My biggest fear is that I won't be able to go out there and drive a racecar some day. I love it so much and enjoy what I do I want to be able to do it for a long time. I feel like I'm in my prime and have a lot of great opportunities it would be hard not to be able to get out there and compete. Usually the fears of the dangers of the sport aren't on my mind. It's more the fear of not being able to be competitive and having a team and car capable of winning.

Question: What races will you run with the Busch team next week?

Jeff Gordon: We're going to run Las Vegas, Texas, both your team races and the Michigan speedway next year. They are all conjunction races with Winston Cup.

AOLiveMC13: Jeff, do you have a web site?

Jeff Gordon: Absolutely, www.jeffgordon.com. It's very exciting, you'll need to check it out. My newest book is on there "Jeff Gordon, Portrait of a Champion". You'll be able to purchase the book online. It's been a real exciting week with the mention of Gordon/Evernham Racing and the Busch team, but we've also reached our 90 millionth hit this week and we hope to reach 100 million by the end of the year. Thanks to you fans who've made that possible.

Question: What makes your team so much stronger than the rest?

Jeff Gordon: The main group has been together since 92. They're a tight group. They sacrifice things for the betterment of the team. We're fortunate to have a great group that work well together. They make my job and Jeff's job easier because they are willing to sacrifice time with their families and days off to make sure the car runs better.

Question: Do you feel you got a good chance this week?

Jeff Gordon: Ray will take this: We feel like we have a good chance to win every weekend, otherwise there would be no point in going. We don't ever go to the track trying to run in 2nd. We didn't qualify as well as we'd like to. It's a good car it won at Indy I'm having trouble reading the car, what it wants, but I have plenty of time to work that out.

Jeff Gordon: Thanks to all the fans that support us and everybody that is online that has enjoyed our web site and those who will visit in the future. We look forward to trying to win another Championship in the Winston Cup Series. Thanks to Cybertrack and CBS SportsLine and AOL for hosting our chat session today.