Jeff Gordon admits it has been a long time since he first tested a "Car of Tomorrow" - otherwise known as the COT or current car - on the 2-mile D-shaped oval of Michigan International Speedway (MIS). That test was August 2006 and things have surely changed and evolved since then.

The four-time Cup Series champion was hot out of the box in the COT last year, winning three of the ten races the current car was used in and only finishing outside the top-10 twice (a 19th in the August Bristol race and an 11th during the Chase race at Dover)

What a difference a year makes. This season, the Hendrick Motorsports dominance that was prevalent last year is all but gone - Jimmie Johnson has the team's lone win in Phoenix, thanks in part to pit strategy. Besides Casey Mears in the ever-mediocre fourth Hendrick car, Gordon has struggled more than Johnson or Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Despite being eighth in the series standings, Gordon has 3 DNFs - including a 43rd at Texas, only the third of his fifteen year career 
he has finished last. The veteran driver has battled week-in and week-out to find the perfect setup that will put his No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet in victory lane once again - unfortunately for him, that hasn't happened.

Heading into Irish Hills of Michigan, Gordon is hoping some "Luck of the Irish" will come his way. Gordon has found success at MIS in the past, totaling two wins, 15 top-5's, 20 top-10's and five poles in only thirty starts. If Gordon can lead a lap in Sunday's LifeLock 400, he will have led a total of 900 laps at the speedway.

"From a driver's perspective, this has always been a great track to race on,Gordon explained."It is wide with a number of grooves we can race on in the corner.

"This will be our first time here with the Impala in race conditions, and so much has changed since the first time I drove the car here in 2006. We've learned a lot and have come a long way with the setups."

For crew chief Steve Letarte, that struggle to find the perfect setup has been a challenge and one that seems to evolve from year-to-year and even week-to-week.

"It's a fine line you have to walk, and sometimes we are stubborn to change," said Letarte. "If a setup works extremely well one year, sometimes you are hesitant to move too far away from it. Other teams may be trying different setup combinations and, if they hit on something you can quickly find yourself playing 'catch up.'"

"Some setups that worked well last year can be average at best this year."

This team will continue to fight towards that perfect setup until they find it - and when they do, look out. Every driver and team goes through a dry-spell at one point or another in their career, but eventually they work themselves out. Don't expect Gordon to give up and quit trying any time soon. This 36-year-old has plenty of wins in front of him and is headed to a track in which he has success. Hopefully for all involved, this is the weekend it all comes together.