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By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer HOMESTEAD, Fla. (AP) Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick expects Jeff Gordon to drive at least "three or four" more seasons and the four-time Cup champion says he has no immediate plans to retire.

Gordon said on Friday that his achy back has improved and he's still having fun racing. Gordon is third in the points standings and has one victory this season heading into Sunday's finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Gordon doesn't want to put a number on how many years he has left. He says at the end of last year's disappointing season, he was considering only another year or two.

Hendrick says as long as Gordon competes in Cup racing, he'll be with Hendrick Motorsports.

Physical training and stretching have eased the back problems that made him uncomfortable for most of last season.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-20-09 1100CST | save this article / add to your favorites list