Jeff Gordon’s Drive for Five Alive

by Charlie Turner

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February 11, 2011 8:57 pm UTC 2 Comments

Who has the best chance to dethrone Jimmie Johnson?

Denny Hamlin or Kevin Harvick? Carl Edwards or maybe Kyle Busch?

I think it might be Alan Gustafson.

Gustafson – most recently the crew chief for Mark Martin’s Hendrick Motorsport effort – has a new driver.

Four time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon is the new guy in the shop. And I like the pairing.

Back in November, when HMS announced the driver swaps of the 25, 5 and 88 teams, Gordon said all the expected things.

“I’m certainly looking forward to working with Alan,” Gordon said. “I’ve known Alan for a number of years, always respected him and I guess in the back of my mind, I always thought it would be kind of cool to work with him. It’s a great opportunity.”

Whatever. Something had to change on the Jeff Gordon/Steve Letarte team. They had a good year but….

Good ain’t great enough.

Gotta win races. And at least one more Cup.

The drive for five. Used to belong to Gordon. Now that Jimmie Johnson has his five, it might again be the anthem of the 39 year old.

And I think he might be able to do it. With Alan Gustafson.

Photo credit: Jordan Tabak – OnPitRow.com

Filed under: Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon, jimmie johnson, Mark Martin, NASCAR, Sprint Cup Series