Gordon confident of stronger 2009

Although the quadruple Sprint Cup champion finished seventh in last year's standings, he failed to win a race for the first time since his rookie year in 1993.

But he believes he made progress with the 'Car of Tomorrow' towards the end of 2008, and expects that to pay off this season.

"I believe in myself that I still have what it takes," said Gordon.

"Any veteran that you talk to, if they're honest with you, they'll tell you that sometimes it takes a little longer to transition through new cars, new set-ups, new tyres, and so last year was a little bit of an adjustment for me that I think I'm well prepared for this year, but might have got a little behind on it last year.

"I feel like we really hit on some things later in the year, but it was too late. So we have a good direction."

He played down the significance of his lack of victories in 2008.

"No matter what kind of season we have, (whether we) won 13 races or no races, you always look at what you can do to be better for the next season, and that's the way I'm looking at it this season," Gordon said.

"I'm not dwelling on the fact that we didn't win. I'm not sitting here saying we're not capable of winning. I think that we are. I felt like we had some races that got away from us last year that we could have won, but you've got to seize those moments and opportunities, especially as competitive as it is these days.

"If you look at the guys that were winning last year, they weren't spreading the love around a whole lot."

Gordon also defended his crew chief Steve Letarte, who was blamed in some quarters for last year's lack of success.

"I really believe Steve is the guy," he said. "He's an awesome crew chief, and I know he took a lot of criticism last year, but I believe in him, and we've made small improvements I feel were needed, and I'm doing everything I can to make sure that I play my role in getting us back to victory lane."

But while confident he can return to form this year, Gordon admitted that his Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson will be tough to beat and could well wrap up a fourth straight title.

"How can you bet against the 48 team?" he said. "I think that they were just incredible last year because they didn't start out as the best car and the best team, and the way that they stepped up when it came time for the Chase was to me something that's scary for every other competitor out there.

"There's no doubt that they've got an excellent shot at doing four in a row, and they've got a lot of pressure on them, as well.

"But I think that there were teams out there that showed that they can compete with them like Carl (Edwards) in the 99. I always look at us as one of those teams that you just never know what we're capable of until that time comes. So I certainly don't count ourselves out of that, either."