NASCAR's Jeff Gordon backs off notion he will drive in Sprint Cup races after this year

Jeff Gordon looks at his race car before Sprint Cup practice for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Orlando Sentinel, Stephen M. Dowell) MAGS OUT; NO SALES (The Associated Press)

Jeff Gordon climbs out of his car after a practice session for the Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Jeff Gordon is backing away from the possibility of running more races after this year.

The four-time NASCAR champion announced last month this will be his final year as a full-time driver, but he did not use the word retirement.

On Thursday, he said it's "highly unlikely" he'll race a Sprint Cup car in 2016. He says it is difficult to put together a ride for one race and be competitive enough to win. He said trying to get a one-off ride with Hendrick Motorsports would be disruptive to the organization.

Gordon starts on the pole for Sunday's season-opening Daytona 500.