Gordon

Jeff Gordon started to get antsy about a month ago.

"Normally, this time of the year, I'm ready to take a rest and just sit at home and try not to think about racing," Gordon said. "But since the holidays, all I can think about is getting started again."

The four-time Winston Cup champion would love nothing more than to start defense of his latest title with his third Daytona 500 victory. Practice begins Feb. 8 at Daytona International Speedway for the Feb. 17 season-opener.

The 30-year-old driver said his offseason schedule consisted of handling sponsorship duties and celebrating the holidays with his family.

"Mostly I did some promotional things and a lot of photo shoots for next year, and I did get some vacation, too," he said.

Gordon, who won the Daytona race in 1997 and 1999, likes NASCAR's latest restrictor plate rules package for Daytona.

"Once we get in the race, I'm going to enjoy it a lot more because I can play a larger role where we end up," Gordon said. "With this package, the driver is definitely going to play a bigger role in the race."