Jeff Gordon Chats About Daytona, Valentine's Day, More

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Jeff Gordon was kind enough to sit down with FanHouse Wednesday for a live chat from Florida. The following is the full transcript of what Jeff had to say about everything from new paint schemes to a recent trip to Disney with his family. Enjoy. (And don't forget about the Tony Stewart chat taking place at 7:30 PM ET today.)

Jeff Gordon: Hey everybody thanks for all the questions. Just finished up with practice; we have a great Dupont Chevrolet for tomorrow's race. Let's get started.

LC: Jeff, which race win would mean more to you a 5th Daytona or your first win at Texas Motor Speedway?

Jeff Gordon: First of all, it would be a 4th Daytona 500. Daytona is biggest race we have, even as special as Texas would be since I've never won there -- Daytona is the ultimate and I'd have to go with Daytona.

Guest: Why does it seem that Jimmie, and Dale Jr. leave you out there alone they don't seem to draft with you? Although you help them.

Jeff Gordon: I didn't have many friends out there in the shootout, that was obvious to me as well. my crew chief steve says its because I've won too many restrictor plate races and not to take it personally. winning these races is all about getting those pushes, whether it's a teammate or any other competitor. hopefully, we can make that happen sunday.

Diane: Hi Jeff - How was Disney World with Ella and Ingrid? Also, I already have my tickets for the Labor Day night race at Atlanta Motor Speedway (my first night race). What are your thoughts on running that night race at that track this year?

Jeff Gordon: Disney was fantastic. We had a great time. Be looking to jeffgordon.com for some pics and future chats. I'm very much looking forward to Atlanta race being at night - no matter what, that race track is fun, one of my favorites and it works really well on the schedule. Most importantly, hopefully the fans will really enjoy it.

Brenda Newman: If you weren't a super nascar driver what would you have wanted to be instead?

Jeff Gordon: There's a difference between what I want to be and what I'm capable of being. ...my parents had a manufacturing company, if racing hadn't worked out - since I used to sweep floors there in the summer - I probably would have worked for them.

Kathy: In the past you have stated that your driving style was different in so much that you preferred not to drive a "loose" race car like Stewart, Kyle Busch, Jimmie etc. It appears that those drivers that prefer that set up seem to win and/or finish in the top ten quite often. Have you considered changing your driving style? Also, no one wants to draft with you...why?

Jeff Gordon: I don't mind driving a loose car - never had. But this is not Days of Thunder, Loose isn't necessarily fast. The most important thing we look for is well-balanced car. With this new car, it's much tighter in the middle of the corner, so in order to get it to turn, you have to settle for being a little looser in and off the corners - something we're going to work on this year.

john from vernon: how long do you plan to drive & what will you do when you retire from drive-in full time , you have a life- time contract with mr hendricks .

Jeff Gordon: I do have lifetime contract - I'm still trying to figure out exactly what that means. It last until Rick Hendrick wants to get rid of me (laughing). ... no date has been thought about. I'm just going to keep going as long as I can. Still enjoying it and certainly very motivated by our winless season last year

NASCARGirl: What is your favorite track to race at?

Jeff Gordon: I've always liked Michigan because it's just really wide, fast. It's hard to pick just one. If I had to pick just one, that would be it.

mike: jeff, how come your car seems not to be as good as jimmy's each week. you come from the same shop,same parts and etc.

Jeff Gordon: Every driver and crew chief has their own way of going about it and their own theories. My driving style is different and my set-ups don't necessarily work for them, and their set-ups don't necessarily work for us .. but we both have great teams and give them credit for the great job they've done over the last several seasons

David: Jeff, I thought you had the race the other night. Do you feel you would have won it if it had not been for that caution with two laps to go? It really looked as though you were reeling in Jamie.

Jeff Gordon: I felt like we had a very competitive car. I think there were several cars that could have won that race and we were one of them. as I mentioned earlier it's about getting that push and on last restart I didnt' get the push I was needing. And the guy that did won

dr. k: any plans to take over regis' job after your career is over?

Jeff Gordon: That's not my next job. She's fantastic to work with, but i have a hard time seeing myself going from a race car driver to co-hosting Jeff and Kelly or. ... Kelly or Jeff, I'm not sure how that would work exactly

Shawnafrc: What is the best advice you have received about how to carry yourself in the spotlight as a professional Nascar driver and who was it from?

Jeff Gordon: I learned pretty much everything from my parents - especially my step-father. He always taught me to be professional, humble, and to treat other people the way you'd like to be treated.

CP: My mom is always talking about what a nice haircut you have, do you go anywhere particular to get it cut or have someone special cut it for you in your busy schedule. Also I enjoyed you and your mother on rachel ray.

Jeff Gordon: I had a blast doing that with my mom. I'm so proud of her doing the cookbook with Martha. Just to kind of change roles and be there supporting her was unique and fun for me. And thank you for the compliment. I will do my best to keep my hair well-groomed.

Mike DeGasparro: Jeff, What do you plan on getting/doing with Ingrid for Valentines Day?

Jeff Gordon: I'll be at the track and have an appearance that night. Unfortunately I have an appearance that night. But she's very understanding. I'll keep the tradition alive, cards, flowers and treat her like gold and hope she doesn't have to cook that night since I have an appearance and I'll be getting home late

ELOISE: DO YOU PLAN TO HAVE ANY MORE CHILDREN. YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL CHILD!

Jeff Gordon: I think we'd love to have another one. We have not planned that out yet.

Corey: Is staying at the front your thing for Daytona or are you just going to lay back and wait with 10 laps to go and go for the win. I enjoy looking to see if you can win this year and I hope to eventually meet you someday.

Jeff Gordon: Every race plays out differently. Obviously, the Daytona 500 is a long race and you need a lot of patience, but I certainly want to be up front with 10 to go if it's possible. If the caution came out, that could hurt us, but I'd rather be leading and hoping caution doesn't come out. Basically my goal is to get up front any chance I can and maintain it - 50 to go, 10 to do, 1 to go. Doesn't matter

Jim: will you be running any special paint schemes this year

Jeff Gordon: one of our new sponsors this year is National Guard. ... we'll run 8 races with them this year as well as our traditional two Pepsi races. We'll have one special Pepsi paint scheme but I dont' think they've announced it yet.

Jeff Gordon: So many great questions as well as well wishes. ... thank you so much. We have an awesome opportunity to win races this year, starting right here in Daytona.