Gordon: We haven't been fast enough

The four-times Cup champion says they have achieved their goals this season, scoring six wins and 29 top tens finishes.

They are even tied with the Chase leader in number of top fives, but their number of wins show that they have been fast, although probably not as fast as the No. 48 car.

"I really, honestly [believe] we've lived up to every expectation that I felt like we had going for us in our team," Gordon says.

"We came into those final ten [races] knowing what our strengths and weaknesses were. And our strengths were that we're solid and consistent.

"We don't make mistakes, but we're not as fast as the 48 in a lot of the tracks. We hoped that that would get it done, and so far to this point, it hasn't.

"We've got one left. And we don't want to wish anybody any bad luck. So if those guys keep doing what they've been doing, which I don't expect them not to.

"I think it's going to be very, very difficult to see anything different happen than what we've been seeing the last several weeks."

Gordon has been full of praise for what Johnson has achieved since he suggested his name to Rick Hendrick a few years ago, as the right driver to have to create a fourth team at Hendrick Motorsports, where Gordon became Johnson's car owner.

"The reason why I suggested him to Rick Hendrick is because he impressed me before he was ever in a Cup Car," Gordon added.

"I really thought if we put him in the kind of car and equipment that I had been in for all the years, that he could have the same type of success that I had. And to me, he has the capability of having more success.

"So it is pretty awesome to see it come from way back then to where it is now and to see how he's matured."