NASCAR: Hendrick Motorsports Coming To A Crossroads

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Gordon

Gordon is most likely going to be the first shoe to drop when it comes to the changing of the guard at HMS. Gordon has a lifetime-contract with the team so extensions and such are not relevant here. When it comes to Gordon it’s all going to hinge around retirement. If Gordon can continue to be competitive and run for titles one would have to think that he is going to continue to race assuming that his health and back maintain themselves.

The belief around the sport is that Chase Elliott is destined to take over the No. 24 machine and that now seems true given the extension of Kasey Kahne. While Elliott might ultimately end up in the No. 24 it also doesn’t seem like that is going to impact when Gordon is going to stop racing. If Hendrick wanted Elliott on the squad in 2016 they would not have extended Kahne. Since they did extend Kahne it makes it clear that Elliott is tabbed for the No. 24 and that will happen when Gordon is ready to say goodbye.

Gordon turned 43 this season and he will be 45 after 2016 when the majority of his current sponsorship deals are done. Again, those are just dates as it would seem Gordon will be able to run as long as he wants. However, it would be foolish to say that he has a lot of time left because we all know that he doesn’t. In fact, it would be hard to rule out the possibility of retirement in 2015 if he wins a fifth championship.