Would Jeff Gordon retire after 2010

It is difficult to imagine NASCAR without four-time champion Jeff Gordon.  However, it is going to happen at some point, and it could occur sooner than we initially expected.  On ESPN, there is an article that highlights Gordon’s desire to remain with Hendrick Motorsports when the sun sets on his driving career. 

"I would like to think I have something to offer the organization past driving, and definitely would like to work something out with Rick," said Gordon. "This organization has been so good to me. My life has changed because of Hendrick Motorsports and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

Why would this come up now?  Is retirement on Gordon’s mind?  Despite your perception of Jeff Gordon, he is one of those drivers that you pay attention to during the race.  You want to know where he is on the track at all times because he makes things happen.  Deep down, the Gordon-haters, the anti-Gordon fans do not want their most loathed driver to cease driving, at least not yet.  Who would they so passionately jeer on raceday? 

Gordon’s deal with Hendrick Motorsports is listed as a lifetime contract, which means that he could drive the No. 24 until he is 80 years old.  Nevertheless, the contract with DuPont expires following the 2010 season.  Unless DuPont and Hendrick Motorsports agree on an extension before 2010, this will be the crossroads in Gordon’s career.  It will be a prime opportunity for Gordon to step away if he so desires.  You better believe that if he is ready to hang up his helmet, it is going to happen.  Are we ready, though?

Gordon will be only 39 years old following the 2010 season, hardly an age when a driver would historically walk away from NASCAR’s upper echelon of competition. In fact, several drivers Gordon’s age are still on the front-end of their careers; David Reutimann for example. 

Fans of Gordon, as well as detractors, want to see how much further Gordon can go in this sport.  Surely, if he sticks around long enough, he can become only the third driver to win 100 plus races, or perhaps five or more championships.  As long as he driving for Hendrick Motorsports, he is not going to suffer a career-ending downward spiral; similar to the one that legends Richard Petty and Darrell Waltrip endured.

While in his fabulous forties, Gordon would not only continue as a perennial championship contender and race winner, but he has an opportunity serve as a mentor to younger drivers, similar to how he was mentored by drivers like Terry Labonte and Dale Earnhardt.  Additionally, he is the most accomplished driver, and if he can speak up a little more and become a little more assertive, he can emerge as the veteran voice in the garage, the unofficial leader of the figurative driver’s union.

As of now, there are no indications that Gordon will retire after 2010, but there is reason to speculate.  As a traditionalist of this sport, I would prefer Jeff Gordon to stick around for awhile.  After all, like him or not, he is a NASCAR legend.