Is it possible to share a championship even after winning the Championship 4 race in Phoenix? The answer is yes! And it nearly happened at the end of last season when Joey Logano raced for a driver’s trophy and Kyle Larson for his team owner. Logano avoided a complicated outcome and secured both trophies for Team Penske. This fascinating scenario could still play out this year with Chase Elliott.

The #9 driver could not qualify for the playoffs but still holds the banner high for Hendrick Motorsports in the owner’s playoffs. And HMS Vice Chairman Jeff Gordon stressed the need for a greater spotlight on the team’s standings. However, the racing fandom promptly saw right through the thinly veiled endorsement of his popular racer.

Jeff Gordon appealed for media attention on the Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Camaro driver

With the final race of the Round of 12 coming up at the Charlotte Roval, all eyes are on the four drivers who will be axed prior to the next round. But 4X Cup champion Jeff Gordon vented his frustration on the driver’s standings, hogging the brunt of fan and media attention. While two of HMS Chevrolet cars, the #24 and the #5, are busy accumulating points for themselves, Elliott is striving for his team. Jeff Gordon pointed out the discrepancy in an interaction with SiriusXM.

Jeff complained, “What I would like to see us address is this owner and driver we have going on right now. We have Chase Elliott, who is in on owner which by the way lot of people aren’t focused on that. They didn’t have a great year, but they’re doing what they need to do right now. They’re what 2-3 points out right now on being in the Top 8 to transfer through the next round. We got two good race tracks coming up for him.”

On the other end of the spectrum is 23XI Racing‘s Bubba Wallace, who qualified for the drivers’ playoffs, but the #23 car could not enter the owners’ playoffs. Gordon referenced that and continued, “And then you got Bubba on the opposite side of that where we’re focused on the drivers, which I think is great; we should be focused on the drivers. But what can we do more of to recognize the efforts of the teams? And that championship is going on.”

It cannot be denied that the swanky racecars competing in thrilling races with their favorite drivers were what primarily attracted viewers to this sport. Jeff Gordon made a notable contention for the owner’s title eventually funding the team to make that possible. Jeff explained, “Because that’s where the money comes from, the owner points. Our contracts are all over the place as far as our driver contract and our crew chief contracts are recognizing how to pay bonuses at the end of the year. I spend too many nights awake thinking of ways to do it.”

Watch This Story: Dale Earnhardt Jr Reveals the Tense Atmosphere at Hendrick Motorsports After Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson Clash

Undoubtedly, the veteran racer brought forward a significant issue that requires a more nuanced discussion. Nonetheless, Gordon’s sudden endearment for a cause in which personal stakes are involved exposes his underlying disingenuity. And NASCAR’s intuitive fandom jumped in the comments section to call him out for it.

Jeff Gordon makes an F1 comparison as racing fandom condemns Jeff Gordon’s flimsy defense

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Despite Jeff Gordon’s detailed argument, the mundane intricacies of finances and negotiations do not capture the attention of NASCAR fans. This was aptly pointed out by a fan, who wrote, “It’s a bit out of touch to think the average fan paying $100+ for a ticket cares about billionaires battling for more money.”

Gordon further made a case for Formula 1 where the constructor’s title was given substantial importance. “In Formula 1 they have the constructor’s championship where it’s about the team. So I would love to see us find a way.” But the constructor’s points are displayed throughout the season and their representative also gets a place at the podium. The current NASCAR format was not conducive to garnering interest in the teams. 

Besides, fans wondered if Gordon would have emphasized team effort if all of his cars were through to the driver’s playoffs.

“If Chase were in the Playoffs, this would not be a topic of discussion.”
“Lol Chase misses the playoffs and all the sudden Jeff’s arguing that the owners’ title means more”
“Gotta do everything he can to keep Chase relevant, I suppose but as a fan of 46 years, I’ve never cared about that”

Read More: Chase Elliott Reveals His “Approach” to His Career’s New Chapter

Do you think that Gordon made the case time for the owners’ championship just because Chase Elliott is still in the running for that? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.