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Jeff Gordon will retire after the conclusion of the 2015 season. Gordon debuted at Atlanta in the early 1990s before becoming this sport top rated superstar over first 10 seasons. Including over 50 wins and 4 championships. In 2014 Gordon showed flashes of that Gordon. But didn't have enough in the tank after an slight incident with Brad Keselowski.
I don't think Gordon will go out with an 5th championship. For that to happen he will have to repeat his 2014 season performance. Hard seeing that happening. Of course anything possible. History says it unlikely.
At Intermediate venues , Gordon will be one of the strongest competitors. There really isn't a weak track for him nor is there a standout strong track. Honestly he pretty darn good everywhere. I feel like Dover or Kansas could be consideded his best track. At Kansas , Gordon have made 18 career starts and have 3 wins and 12 Top 10s. Gordon recently won there in 2014. Darlington however is a widely more well-known track for Gordon. In 34 starts , JG have 11.4 average finish and 7 wins. Over past 11 Darlington races , Gordon have 8 Top 5s. Including 7 finishes of 3rd or better. Yeah that pretty impressive.
Other good intermediate venues to consider him at would be: Dover , Chicago , Atlanta , Auto Club and Homestead. Few weak tracks for him. Charlotte and Las Vegas both stand out from career point of view. Especially Vegas. Over 17 career races , Gordon have 15.0 average finish. Pretty similar over past 2 season as well. Way better places to use him. Charlotte been a good place for him lately. With only 1 finish outside top 5 since 2013. But from a career standpoint he struggled despite 5 wins. Least compared to other venues. In 44 races , JG have an 15.4 average finish. Only other track worse is Texas in average finish department.
Flats arguably are Gordon biggest advantage during a season. He have the abilities to do stuff most others competitors don't. His top notch equipment helps. But either way Gordon is one of the best in the business. 2015 won't be any different.
Pocono is an fantastic venue for Gordon. In 44 starts , Gordon have 9.7 average finish and 6 wins.Since 2010 (past 9 races) , Gordon have 7 finishes inside the top 10. 6 Of them have resulted in 6th or better. Gordon have 3 straight finishes inside the top 10. Including finishes of 6,8 and 2 for average finish of 5.3. Last win came in August of 2012.
Indianapolis another great place for Gordon. But it considered his 2nd best flat. Which probably seems weird. Because his numbers at Indy are elite. In 21 career races , Gordon have 5 wins and 8.4 average finish. Since 2001 (14 races) , Gordon have 12 finishes of 9th or better. 8 of those finishes were 5th or better. Gordon have 4 straight finishes inside top 7. Including a win in 2014.
New Hampshire been a pretty decent track for Gordon. In 40 starts , Gordon have 3 wins and 11.4 average finish. Gordon had two bad races in 2014. Even in 2013 Gordon seemed off. Well okay he actually had top 10 cars in all 4 races. If not top 5 potential. Trust me Gordon still one of the best at this place. He need some better luck at New Hampshire.
Short tracks been good to Jeff for a long time. Honestly Martinsville is the only safe bet. I feel like Richmond and Bristol bit more risky to use him. I am not against use him there. But wouldn't recommend it either though.
Martinsville clearly Gordon top track. In 44 starts , Gordon have 8 wins and 6.8 average finish. Not many individuals been able to conquer Martinsville like Gordon have. From 1995 to 2000 , Gordon had 12 straight finishes of 8th or better. Including 10 finishes of 5th or better. 7 of those finishes were of 3rd better. From 2003 to 2010 , Gordon had 15 straight finishes of 9th or better. 13 of them were 5th or better. 2 of Gordon past 3 races been 3rd or better. Yeah he pretty good at the paperclip.
In 44 starts at Bristol , Gordon have 5 wins. Last win? 2002. 4 of those wins came back in the 1990s. Gordon have been decent at "New Bristol". He been pretty inconsistent actually. In past 4 races (past 2 seasons) , Gordon have two finishes of 7th. And other two finishes were 16th and 34th. Since 2008 (14 races) , Gordon have had only 6 finishes inside top 10. That's under 50%. Better places to use Gordon most likely.
At Richmond , Gordon have 2 wins and 13.6 average finish in 44 races. Been pretty good lately though.4 of his past 5 races have resulted in 8th or better. His other finish was 11th in 2013. His last win was all the way back in 2000. From 2007 to 2010 (7 races) , Gordon had 7 straight top 10s. He trustworthy at RIR. But there better places to use him. Probably doesn't make the 9-start cut on most Yahoo Fantasy Racing teams. Gordon just have too many great tracks. Not sure if I ever complained about that.
Road Courses are pretty much Jeff Gordon own personal playground. Every time we good to Sonoma and Watkins Glenn. Expect Gordon name to come up often. His 9 road course wins gives him that honor though. Last win was 2007 at Sonoma. Sonoma is the much better track. Actually Gordon is way overrated at Watkins Glenn. Only have 2 Top 10s since 2002.
Daytona and Talladega always an popular place to use Gordon. Honestly I don't think I have ever use Gordon at the Daytona 500. Usually you tell what kinda of year he will have by his early season results. Not always , but you get a good feel. Would hate to burn a perfectly good Gordon start. Especially in limited start leagues. Honestly weather you use Gordon is more a personal decision at plate tracks. I rather go all in with an sneaky pick and save Gordon for another day. That's me though.
Look Gordon will no doubt be in contention all season long. Try to use him at his best tracks. Don't try to save him. Use him if looks legit. If he looks off then save him. Really all there is to it. Doesn't matter where you unload Gordon. Bigger question is how many points he gets you. Martinsville , Dover , Kansas , Pocono and Indianapolis are the preferred tracks to use him at. Watkins Glenn , Las Vegas , Daytona and Talladega seems to have plagued Gordon in recent seasons. Would probably avoid him at those specific tracks.
Twitter - @JeffNathans