Team Hendrick Motorsports Car/Make No. 24/Chevrolet Sponsor DuPont Crew Chief Robbie Loomis
STATS	2003	CAREER
Rank	4	1*
Wins	3	64
Top 5	15	175
Top 10	20	230
DNFs	5	49
Top Finish	1	1
*Indicates best career points finish

2003 recap
The good: Gordon remains a title contender every season, and it doesn't get any better than that. Just ask Kurt Busch, Mark Martin or Tony Stewart -- the top three from last season who were unable to match their lofty status this year. Gordon is still one of the best and, after an un-Gordonesque slow start was able to climb back up to fourth to finish in the top five for the third straight season.

The bad: For Gordon, the bad in a non-championship year is that he didn't win the championship. There is that expectation, internally and externally, that he can win the title every year. With that being the case, anything less is a disappointment. This year, with five DNFs due to accidents and a miserable month of August, Gordon fans have claimed bad racing luck. But Gordon admitted to making some unwise moves at times which will need to be improved upon in 2004.

Key stat: 10. This marks Gordon's 10th straight top-10 points finish.

2004 outlook
What needs to be done: Gordon is now sharing the good equipment with Jimmie Johnson, who has been in the Cup top 10 for more consecutive weeks than Gordon. Gordon is also going to have to help break in rookie Brian Vickers. So, for 2004, Gordon and Co. are going to have to find a way to use some gains they found in last year's notes and translate them into more top-five finishes. Gordon can win his fifth title with just three wins, but it's going to take more than 15 top fives and, certainly, more than 20 top 10s.

Key change: Vickers' addition should actually benefit Gordon rather than slow him down. The 25 team has always been around, so the crew isn't going to need time to break in a new team. Gordon won't be affected by that. Rather, with a young mind and a big risk-taker on board, Gordon might benefit from someone willing to take a few more chances.

Prediction: Gordon has to be the leading contender for the title. Until he proves otherwise, he's always going to be the favorite.

Did you know: Gordon, who escaped Charlotte for Palm Beach when married, is now lounging in a bachelor's pad in New York City.

Your take
Can Jeff Gordon win his fifth Cup championship in 2004? Or is the competition just too tough to expect another title for the 24 team? Share your thoughts on Gordon's prospects for 2004.