“I Got Beat Pretty Bad” – Jeff Gordon Reveals Refusal to Follow in His Ex-Hendrick Motorsports Teammate Jimmie Johnson’s Steps

Jeff Gordon is a fan-favorite driver, and for good reason. But it looks like the fans’ dream of seeing him step back in a stock car was crushed, for a lack of better words. Fortunately, he will still be around the track.

It seems to get very difficult for drivers to detach from racing once they spend their lives doing it to reach the top pedestal of NASCAR. And it makes sense because race car drivers often start very early. What further adds to the hypothesis is the fact that drivers will take other roles in teams even after their retirement.

Plenty of drivers even come out of their retirement to race again. Of course, Jimmie Johnson has positioned himself as the prime example for that, heading back into a Cup Series car for a limited schedule in his new team. But his former rival, Jeff Gordon wouldn’t really come up in the list of drivers who would come out of retirement, though.

In fact, at the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Gordon was asked whether he’d return to a stock car for a race or two. Surprisingly enough, the four-time Cup Series champ didn’t even blind before declaring, “No,”.

His reasoning is pretty simple and straightforward, in all fairness as he explained, “I know how hard it is to get back in there compete at that level.”

He does still have a lot of love for being in the fast lane, competing in a smaller series last year, “I still love to drive fast, I actually did race a sports car race this last year.”

But that cemented his decision even further, “It did remind me how hard you have to work because I got beat pretty bad.”

Read More: “We Made a Commitment to Him…”—Jeff Gordon on the Kyle Larson Effect at Hendrick Motorsports That Bent Rick Hendrick and Benefitted Chase Elliott

It doesn’t matter, though. Because much like many other drivers, Gordon also has other responsibilities.

Jeff Gordon plays an essential role at Hendrick Motorsports

The four-time cup series champion has retired from racing, but he still plays an integral role in the top fleet of the cup series. Of course, he serves as the Vice Chairman for Hendrick Motorsports, essentially, Rick Hendrick’s right-hand man.

He has served plenty of time in the broadcasting booth, and plenty of other “side quests” as a former driver. But his primary role is serving his time next to Mr. H at HMS. And he’s not losing his place anytime soon.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ryan Blaney & Bubba Wallace Deemed Favorites by NASCAR Fans to Repeat Jeff Gordon’s Impressive Feat

Although we know Gordon has no plans of stepping in a car or even a slight possibility as of now, which could be sad news for plenty. But at least there’s a resolution to the fact that his place in and around the track is secured.