Gordon and Gustafson fired up for 2012

CONCORD, N.C. —  Jeff Gordon made his debut in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 1992 as a rookie addition to Hendrick Motorsports.  Twenty years later, Gordon has four Cup championships to his credit and 85 wins in the sport’s elite series. His enthusiasm hasn’t wavered one bit since he first strapped into the No. 24 Chevrolet.

“Just the fact, I turned 40 last year, and to be in my 19th season last year, win three races, No. 85, and be a threat for the championship – to me, that is exciting,” Gordon said.  “It’s just as much fun today as it’s ever been.”

Gordon isn’t the only one excited for the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Crew chief Alan Gustafson is ready to hit the track and is confident the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet will visit Victory Lane again.

 “What is there not to be fired up about? Great race team, great race car driver, great sponsors and we’re in a great position,” Gustafson told fans during the Hendrick Motorsports Livestream broadcast on Jan. 25.

Gordon and Gustafson plan to carry their momentum into Speedweeks, which begin this week with the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. Due to offseason rule changes, the No. 24 team anticipates a return to pack racing, which seems to suit Gordon’s style better at the 2.5-mile superspeedway. Gordon has earned six Cup victories at the Daytona Beach, Fla., racetrack, and three in the Daytona 500. 

In the Shootout, Gordon has scored two wins.  The exhibition event will be televised Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.