WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 5, 2008) -  How would a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion with 81 career victories like to celebrate his birthday? With a 'fifth' on Sunday in Watkins Glen.
     Jeff Gordon, who turned 37 on Monday, is the all-time leader in NASCAR road course victories with nine. Along with five wins at Infineon Raceway, the driver of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet Impala SS has captured four victories at Watkins Glen International. And he was oh-so-close to another win in last year's Centurion Boats at The Glen, but a late-race spin entering turn 1 - while leading - relegated him to a ninth-place finish.
     "Yeah, I've had many nightmares about turn 1 at Watkins Glen," said Gordon. "It was a really frustrating race, but I don't know if we were going to win because Tony (Stewart) was a little better than us.
     "I was pushing to stay ahead of him, and I just pushed too hard."
     Along with his four wins at the 2.45-mile New York track, Gordon has two poles, six top-fives and eight top-10's in 15 starts. While they have fared well at the serpentine track, Gordon and Team DuPont tested in advance of this Sunday's 90-lap event.
     "We went to Road Atlanta last week and I felt like we had a promising test," Gordon said. "I feel like we learned some things that will gain us a little speed here.
     "I love racing at Watkins Glen.  It's fast, and it's a track that suits our cars very, very well."
     But as another birthday goes by, does Gordon wish to be younger and just entering the sport?
     "Absolutely not," Gordon said. "I really enjoy where I am in the sport and am comfortable with how things are going. I like the amount of respect that I have in the garage area, and the experience that I've gained over the years and how that pays off.
     "I certainly have no regrets and have accomplished more than I ever thought I would.
I'm not wishing I was 21 again - I'm pretty happy with how things are."
     And Sunday night, Gordon may be happier with a 'fifth' in hand.