Jeff Gordon treats ON PIT ROW like a dirty diaper

Jeff Gordon was the last NASCAR scheduled driver interview for the media on Friday and Jeff wasn't in a mood to answer any serious questions.

After answering questions about Junior not being able to keep number 8, a myriad of baby/diaper questions and being lauded for his work on Saturday Night Live, I asked him about Kyle (Rowdy) Busch's claims about being "a red-headed stepchild at Hendrick".  Maybe Jeffy was up late changing diapers because I received a rather terse response.  "Where have you been, that was like two months ago..."  Actually I think that was a statement Rowdy made after the Pepsi 400 when his team mates, specifically Gordon and Jimmy Johnson chose lines other than with Busch at the close of the race; which was, in reality, 42 days prior.

I still believe it was a legitimate question, especially seeing as Rowdy officially announced his new team just this past week.  Historically teams tend to withhold information from lame duck drivers after their intentions to leave are known.  That was the question I was asking; whether information was being withheld from Kyle.  Obviously Jeff was a little over sensitive to being accused of not helping his team mate at Daytona.

After his snotty beginning , he did continue to say that if he couldn't win the championship; then it would be okay for teammate Jimmy Johnson to do it.  If Johnson couldn't pull of the feat, then it would be okay for Busch to win it for car owner Rick Hendrick; after all that would be in the best interest of Hendrick Motorsports.

Anyone who has ever heard  ON PIT ROW or read this blog knows; I have never been a fan of Jeff, but always respected his talent and willingness to be straight with the media.

Friday I lost all respect for the latter.  He is one hell of a driver.  He proved that by taking the final qualifying lap of the day and turning it into a pole and he may win another championship in 2007.  But in my mind he acted like a donkey's butt.

photo: ON PIT ROW-BethAnne Heisler

Comments

[robert bourne]

I agree about his talent and skill lvel and that was a legyimate question especially after the Vickers thing last year when he announced he was leaving ...I betcha Kyle will be the redheaded stepchild after Gibbs announces going to Toyota...I have seen a few donkeys butts in my time and none of them were that pretty

[Charlie]

I have seen Steve in many interview situations and some of them have been funny. I was around yeaterday when Gordon spanked him. I thought it was pretty funny and , of course, I kept the needle going long after we had left the track. Steve stayed pissed all the way home. Wronk had been mellowing in his #24 hate lately, even chosen Jeff a few times this year in our weekly picks of race winners. Not no mo.

[doris]

JEFF GORDON IS IN A POSITION WHERE HE CAN DO OR SAY MOST ANYTHING HE PLEASES WHEATHER ANYONE LIKES IT OT NOT. HE IS THE GREATEST. ASK A STUPID QUESTION AND YOU GET A STUPID ANSWER. YOU GO JEFF.

[vroom]

It's nice to read about a non TV network interview perspective!

[phastphil]

Your Nuts!

[Steve]

I'm not any nuttier than the next guy. I have the entire interview recorded. Tune in to our show on one of our broadcast stations or on racetalkradio.com on Thursday at 7pm. We'll play it for ya.

[Charlie]

I'll be the one laughing in the background.