Smack: Gordon's climb will fall a couple of rungs short

1. Now that Jeff Gordon is off the skids, what are the odds that he catches David Pearson for second on NASCAR's all-time victory list?

David Caraviello: As cool as that would be, it's not going to happen. What does he need, like 23 more race wins? That's asking a lot from a guy who's just won once the past two seasons. Gordon is capable of winning a lot more before he's done -- but not quite that much more.

Joe Menzer: He's still, I believe, 23 wins shy of tying Pearson. So it's no given that he will get there. It's harder than ever to crank out wins these days, and I'm not sure Gordon will keep racing full time much past 40. But if he wins a bunch more this year, the conversation about it will start getting more serious.

Duane Cross: Ain't happening, much to the chagrin of the Rainbow Warrior Nation. He has nine wins since the start of the 2006 season -- and six of those came in '07 -- and while time marches on, it's passed Gordon in this regard.

David Caraviello: Yeah 23 race wins is about as many as he's had in the past six years. And I don't think Jeff is racing for six more years. The guy is going to go live life at some point. Not that he doesn't have a great life right now, of course.

Joe Menzer: I do believe that Gordon is about to get on a serious roll and will win multiple races this season -- I'll say five or more. Say he wins six this year and next. He'll still ultimately fall short, finish somewhere in the 90s.

Duane Cross: Joe, that's the key -- Jeff's age, while relatively young in the big picture, will be a factor. He has a life -- and strapping into a stock car 40 times a year isn't going to be his driving force.

Joe Menzer: I think the better question then, or at least the more realistic one, is will Gordon finish with 90-plus career wins and third on the all-time list? To that, I say a resounding yes.

David Caraviello: He's at 82 now. I would think passing Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip and Bobby Allison for third all time is a given. And right behind Pearson and the King isn't a bad place to be.

All-Time Wins List

Pos.	Driver	Wins	Age 37+
1.	R. Petty	200	41
2.	D. Pearson	105	45
3.	B. Allison	84	41
	D. Waltrip	84	27
5.	C. Yarborough	83	51
6.	J. Gordon	82	1
7.	D. Earnhardt	76	43
8.	R. Wallace	55	29
9.	L. Petty	54	52
10.	N. Jarrett	50	0*
	J. Johnson	50	0^

* Quit driving at age 34
^ Quit driving at age 35

Duane Cross: It's not -- and to be able to get out with faculties intact ... well, growing old with Ingrid and Ella isn't a bad thing, either. Everyone deserves happiness; Gordon has been such a beacon for this sport, he deserves whatever he wishes. But since when did "second on the list" become the benchmark? Or even "the third driver to win at least 100 races." There is no uniqueness there -- so why should that be a factor in Gordon's decision?

Joe Menzer: Now on that I will disagree, Mr. Cross. I think for Gordon to catch the Silver Fox for second place would be unique. I don't think it will happen -- or even be a driving force in Gordon's motivation -- but it would definitely be unique. And special.

David Caraviello: Nobody's saying it will factor into any decision he makes. We're just wondering if he's capable of it. And given that Richard Petty's all-time mark of 200 wins is completely out of reach by any modern standard, 100 does stand as something of a benchmark.

Duane Cross: Wow, we've reached the point where being second is good enough. Think being second in the NFL is a good place to be? OK, let's "settle" and be happy. And while that's harsh, let's be real: These guys don't race for second.

David Caraviello: You know what? Nothing against Jeff, but I like the fact that Pearson may hold on to second for much, much longer. Maybe because he keeps a low profile and lives a quiet life in South Carolina, people completely undersell the guy. When truth is, his sheer ability was probably second to none.

Joe Menzer: You have to remember that Pearson won 105 without hardly ever running the full schedule. And he didn't like running second.

Duane Cross: I'll say it again: David Pearson is the greatest stock-car driver of all time. What he did -- on his own terms, no less -- is remarkable.

David Caraviello: Oh come on, people. For any current driver, second is the only realistic prospect here. Nobody is ever, ever going to approach 200 wins. Pearson is the only real goal to shoot for. That's why we Smack about it.

Joe Menzer: For now, I think we're in agreement that even Pearson's total is untouchable. If Gordon gets on an incredible roll this year or next, then we'll talk again.

Duane Cross: OK, settle for second -- but it makes for a watered-down celebrating: Woo-hoo! I'm second!

David Caraviello: Hey, when the day comes that somebody catches Pearson, something tells me the headlines will say differently. (Continued)