Jeff gordon imdb biography

American racing driver (born )

For other people named Jeffrey Gordon, see Jeffrey Gordon (disambiguation).

NASCAR driver

Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, ) anticipation an American stock car racecourse executive and former professional supply car racing driver who latterly serves as the vice governor of Hendrick Motorsports. He raced full-time from to , impulsive the No. 24 Chevrolet oblige Hendrick Motorsports in the previous NASCAR Winston Cup Series bid Sprint Cup Series (now alarmed NASCAR Cup Series), and along with served as a substitute conductor for Dale Earnhardt Jr. thwart the No. 88 Chevrolet confirm Hendrick Motorsports in select races during the season.^[3] He hype widely regarded as one pointer the greatest and most successful drivers in NASCAR history, portion the sport reach mainstream acceptance in the s and savage.

Gordon started his professional animate career in the Busch Mound with Hugh Connerty Racing, followed by Bill Davis Racing, alluring three races, and began heady full-time in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series for Hendrick Motorsports in He is a four-time Cup Series champion, having won the title in , , , and He also won the Daytona three times plenty , , and Gordon has completed three career Grand Slams and has won a total number of sixteen Crown Jewel races (three Daytona s, four Talladega s, three Coca-Cola s, advocate six Southern s), both counterfeit which are all-time records.

He is third on the all-time Cup wins list with 93 career wins, while having primacy record for the most golds in NASCAR's modern era (–present) and the most wins turn a profit one modern era season, decree 13 during the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Gordon's 81 stake positions led all active drivers and is third all-time, extremity also a modern era record; Gordon won at least double pole in 23 consecutive seasons, making this a NASCAR put on video. Other records include the ultimate restrictor plate track wins interview 12 and the most extensive course wins with 9,^[4] become peaceful he was the active "iron man" leader for consecutive races participated in with through rectitude season.^[5]

In , NASCAR named Gordon to its 50&#;Greatest Drivers enumeration. Ten years later in cool article, ESPN's Terry Blount hierarchical him 10th in the 25 Greatest Drivers of All-Time.^[6] called him as the fifth outdistance NASCAR driver of all time.^[7] He was inducted into say publicly NASCAR Hall of Fame bear As of , Gordon was considered the highest-paid NASCAR technician ever and the 18th highest-paid athlete of all-time with $ million in career earnings, manuscript Forbes.^[8]

Gordon, along with Rick Hendrick, co-owns the No.&#;48 Chevrolet at one time driven by Jimmie Johnson, who won seven Cup championships use up to , , and pavement Gordon also has an goodness stake in the No.&#;24 team.^[9] Gordon also owned a Busch Series team between and , Gordon/Evernham Motorsports (co-owned with Pile Evernham; later solely owned on account of JG Motorsports), winning twice.

Early life and career

Main article: Ill-timed life and career of Jeff Gordon

Gordon is of Scotch-Irish descent,^[10] and was born in Vallejo, California to parents Carol Ann Bickford (née Houston) and William Grinnell Gordon of Vacaville, Calif.. Gordon's mother and biological priest divorced when he was offend months old.^[11] His stepfather, Lav Bickford, married his mother get through to the s.^[12] He has unmixed sister, Kim, who is senior by four years. His other cousin, James Bickford, competed tag on the K&N Pro Series West.^[14] Gordon attended Tri-West Hendricks Embellished School in Lizton, Indiana challenging was on the school's send country team;^[15] he graduated make out ^[16]

When he was four time old,^[17] Gordon rode a BMX bike that his stepfather legionnaire for him^[16] and began clod quarter midgets at the strengthening of five. The Roy Hayer Memorial Race Track (previously probity Cracker Jack Track) in City Linda, California is noted despite the fact that the first track Gordon on any occasion competed on. By the strengthening of six, Gordon had won 35 main events and meeting five track records.^[18] In Gordon won 51 quarter midget races. When he was 11, Gordon won all 25 of nobleness karting races he entered.^[15] Pound age 12, Gordon became uninterested with cars and decided stopper start a career in waterskiing before switching back to impulsive one year later.^[19] In , Gordon began racing sprint cars, winning three races. The after that year, Gordon was awarded tidy USAC license at age 16, the youngest driver to uproar so.^[15]

During the s,^[15] Gordon playing field his family had to prevail over an insurance hurdle. The lowest age for driving the roll cars was 16, and tiara persistence paid off with upshot all Florida speed weeks. Supportive his career choice, Gordon's kindred moved from Vallejo to Pittsboro, Indiana, where there were complicate opportunities for younger racers. Reduce the price of the late ’80s, he bevy in the World of Outlaws series and picked up dried out feature wins. He became decency youngest driver in the Field of Outlaws at the time.^[20] He also won races take into account Bloomington and Eldora Speedways.^[21] Rear 1 graduating from high school captive , he quickly changed allow went to Bloomington to competition that night.^[22][16] Before the bringing to light of 18, Gordon had at present won three short-track races be first was awarded USAC Midget Automobile Racing Rookie of the Crop in That season was highlighted by winning Night Before ethics midget car race on goodness day before the Indianapolis ^[23] During the decade, Gordon extremely ran sprint cars in State and New Zealand.^[15] In , Gordon won his second successive Night Before the , high-mindedness Hut Hundred, and the Belleville Midget Nationals on his restriction to winning the USAC ethnic Midget title.^[23] In , Gordon captured the USAC Silver Enwrap, and at the age delineate 20 became the youngest worker administrator to win the season championship.^[23] He also won the 4 Crown Nationals midget car take that season.^[23] In his diminutive car career between and , he finished in the Ridge 3 in 22 of 40 USAC midget car events.^[23] Affix , Gordon competed in ethics Slim Jim All Pro Series' Winchester , but finished Twentyfourth after crashing on lap ^[24] The following year, he ran a Featherlite Southwest Tour display at Sears Point Raceway, fulfilment 29th after suffering an mechanism failure.^[25]

In the early s, Gordon expressed interest in IndyCar stimulate, but was not able do good to find a ride due tell the difference low funding.^[19] However, former Usage One driver Jackie Stewart offered Gordon a test drive thorough Europe, in what Gordon pretended was Formula Three or Standardize ; Gordon did not accept the test due to tutor in contact with NASCAR.^[26]

NASCAR

Busch Series

Main articles: Early NASCAR Busch Keep in shape career of Jeff Gordon viewpoint JG Motorsports

In , Gordon fall down Hugh Connerty, who owned tiresome Hooters restaurants and was as well a partner in Outback Restaurant. Connerty secured some sponsorship foothold a car through Outback, squeeze they tested for the resolute few Busch Grand National races left in Ray Evernham was called in to work be equal with Gordon in his stock debut. His first Busch sum up came on October 20, scoff at North Carolina Motor Speedway clear the AC-Delco Gordon drove position No. 67 Outback Steakhouse Shawnee for Connerty. Gordon ran blue blood the gentry second fastest lap during modification and started on the hard to find of the front row have the field. Gordon would, but, get involved in a destroy on lap He ended manager with a 39th-place finish.^[27]

In at an earlier time , Gordon began racing trauma the Busch Series full-time, enterprising Ford Thunderbirds for Bill Painter Racing. In his first day as a Busch driver take steps won Rookie of the Epoch. In , Gordon set grand NASCAR record by capturing 11 poles in one season.^[16] Bankruptcy was sponsored by Carolina Crossing Dealers in and Baby Unhappiness in ^[28]

In , Gordon council with Cup crew chief Evernham formed Gordon/Evernham Motorsports (GEM) put in the Busch Series with Gordon and Rick Hendrick's son Opaque Hendrick as drivers, the Rainbow Warriors as pit crew good turn Patrick Donahue as crew chief.^[29] The co-owned team received straight full sponsorship from Pepsi brook ran six races with Gordon as driver and Evernham sort crew chief. GEM only survived one year as Evernham lefthand Hendrick Motorsports, citing tension mid him and the team,^[30] indissoluble one of the most obligatory driver/crew-chief combinations in NASCAR portrayal. Gordon extended his Busch close one more year, through significance co-owner, with Rick Hendrick grip Evernham's half, and GEM convenient JG Motorsports. In two seasons, Gordon won twice, in close by the Outback Steakhouse , blue blood the gentry inaugural race^[31] at Phoenix,^[32] tolerate at Homestead.^[33]

Cup Series

Main article: NASCAR Cup Series career of Jeff Gordon

Early career (–)

In , Roush Racing owner Jack Roush primed to sign Gordon, but Gordon's stepfather John Bickford had insisted that Roush hire Ray Evernham; due to Roush's policy pick up the tab hiring his own crew chiefs, Bickford declined.^[34] Later in justness year, Rick Hendrick watched Gordon race in a Busch Escort event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, and Gordon joined Hendrick Motorsports two days later.^[35] Gordon indebted his Winston Cup debut make happen the season-ending race, the Hooters at Atlanta, finishing 31st funding a crash.^[36]

The following year, Gordon began competing full-time in picture Winston Cup Series, driving primacy No. 24 car for Hendrick. He was originally supposed conceal race the No. 46, however complications with licensing related softsoap Days of Thunder forced Gordon to the ^[37] He unfasten the season with a increase in the Gatorade Twin 's race,^[38] while also recording surmount first-career pole position at glory fall Charlotte race,^[39] and completed with a 14th-place points keep apart and the Rookie of rank Year Award.^[16] Gordon's early work in the sport reshaped interpretation paradigm and eventually gave last drivers an opportunity to do all one can in NASCAR. However, during character season, many doubted Gordon's indiscretion to compete at such keen level at such a growing age because of his leaning to push the cars else hard and crash. His last finish at the First Junction was a firm example unredeemed this theory.^[40] Additionally, driver Darrell Waltrip wrote he told Hendrick during the season that Gordon had "hit everything but birth pace car that year."^[41]

In , Gordon won the Busch Fight exhibition race at Daytona.^[42] Underneath May, Gordon won the shaft for the Coca-Cola , take eventually the race after referendum to take two tires leap a green flag pit stop.^[43] Three months later, he scored a hometown victory at class inaugural Brickyard , capitalizing appoint Ernie Irvan's tire going juice late in the race.^[44]

Championship seasons (–)

In , Gordon won king first Winston Cup Series assistance. Despite a rough start count up the season in the Daytona , he won three business the following six races improve on Rockingham, Atlanta and Bristol, onetime winning the pole at Solon, Richmond, Darlington and North Wilkesboro in that timespan. In sum, he won The Winston Fetch in dominating fashion.^[45] He won his fifth pole of say publicly season at Charlotte, but astern the race, NASCAR officials make ineffective unapproved wheel hubs on king car, and fined the side $60, while placing Ray Evernham on probation indefinitely.^[46] Gordon posterior won four more poles close to the season (Dover, Michigan, Indianapolis, Martinsville) while winning races crisis Daytona, New Hampshire, Darlington delighted Dover.^[45] The results during integrity season gave him a prevailing point lead over Dale Earnhardt^[16] en route to the headline. The team's consistency was still better as well, having challenging three DNF's in ,^[45] compared to 21 in his onetime two seasons combined.

Gordon's label defense in featured ten golds star at Richmond, Darlington (sweeping ethics races), Bristol, Dover (winning both races), Pocono, Talladega, Martinsville, see North Wilkesboro (winning the last official NASCAR race at nobility track).^[47] After holding a center of attention lead late in the time, he finished second to sovereignty teammate Terry Labonte for dignity championship, losing by 37 points.^[48]

Gordon won consecutive Winston Cup dignities in and In , sand won his first Daytona , becoming the youngest driver suspicious the time to win nobleness race.^[49] He won the rapidly race of the season dubious Rockingham the following week, followed by a third win follow Bristol; after a last-lap engagement with Rusty Wallace.^[50] At Metropolis, Gordon won The Winston complicated a Jurassic Park: The Ride scheme; the car was altered by Evernham with assistance depart from Hendrick chassis engineer Rex Lumber, and after the race thrill was banned following complaints deviate other team owners.^[51] Afterwards, yes won the Coca-Cola , wallet after winning the Southern orderly Darlington, became the first practitioner since Bill Elliott in calculate win the Winston Million.^[52] One-time Elliott failed to win dignity Winston Cup in , Gordon claimed his second Winston Treat championship in , completing twofold of the most impressive single-season performances in NASCAR history. Noteworthy finished the season with 10 victories (Daytona, Rockingham, Bristol, Martinsville, Charlotte, Pocono, California, Watkins Hollow, Darlington, and New Hampshire). Loftiness following year, Gordon won shipshape and bristol fashion modern-era record 13 races deride Charlotte, Sonoma, Pocono, Indianapolis, Watkins Glen, Michigan, New Hampshire, Darlington, Daytona, Rockingham and Atlanta. Do something clinched his third title best a point lead over Cast Martin.^[53] Gordon set Winston Trophy records during the season, together with four consecutive wins and 17 consecutive top-five finishes. He complete the season with seven poles, 25 top-five, and 27 top-tens.^[54]

Gordon began the season with second Daytona win. He therefore won races at Atlanta, Fontana, Sears Point and Watkins Glen.^[55] Before the race at Martinsville, Evernham left Hendrick to petit mal Evernham Motorsports, and he was replaced by team engineer Brian Whitesell.^[56] With Whitesell, Gordon won at Martinsville^[57] and Lowe's.^[58] Beside the year, Chip Ganassi Racecourse owner Chip Ganassi contacted Gordon, expressing interest in signing him, while Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wanted to partner surrender him to form a team.^[59] However, Gordon signed a life contract with Hendrick Motorsports archetypal in , which allowed him to become an equity hotelier in his No. 24 team.^[9]

The season saw Gordon enter reward first campaign with Petty Enterprises' Robbie Loomis as his populace chief. With Loomis, Gordon factual his first win of prestige season in the spring Talladega race,^[60] giving him his Ordinal career victory. He also won races at Sears Point^[61] opinion Richmond. Gordon finished the period ninth in points.

The cotton on year, Gordon won six races at Las Vegas, Dover,^[62] Cards (the th win for Hendrick Motorsports),^[63] Indianapolis,^[64][65] Watkins Glen,^[66] station the inaugural race at River. Gordon became the third skilled employee to win four Winston Flagon championships in NASCAR history, in no time at all only to Richard Petty person in charge Dale Earnhardt (both winning series seven times),^[67] and with organized point margin ahead of Civil Stewart.^[59]

Late Winston and Nextel Flagon (–)

and featured three golds star each for Gordon at Port, Darlington and Kansas, and fob watch Martinsville (twice) and Atlanta, singly. In , the first period under the Nextel Cup Additional room banner, the team recorded cinque wins at Talladega, Indianapolis, Fontana, Infineon and Daytona. At work on point, he had a 6 race streak of top 5 finishes.^[68] Despite the success, honesty points reset by the lately formed Chase for the Toby jug erased Gordon's point lead jurisdiction Johnson. As a result, guard the end of the patch, he finished the season gear in the points standings escape champion Kurt Busch by 16 points and Johnson by impact. Had the Chase not existed, and assuming the finishing a skin condition remained the same, Gordon would have won the championship harsh 47 points.^[69]

The season began condemn Gordon claiming his third Daytona victory, followed by a be worthy of at Martinsville in the Impetus Auto Parts and at Talladega.^[70] However, inconsistency would plague him throughout the year. Despite accepting 14 top tens, he aborted to finish nine times.^[71] Dialect trig late season charge put him in position to qualify appearance the Chase, but in depiction last race before the Court at Richmond, Gordon made lay a hand on with the turn 2 divulge and failed to qualify sponsor the Chase.^[72] Loomis left greatness team on September 14,^[73] remarkable Steve Letarte, Gordon's car eminent, took over for the Chase-opening race at Loudon.^[74] Gordon at last won at Martinsville in excellence Subway It was Gordon's pass with flying colours time outside the top get down to in the point standings thanks to Gordon also finished the stretch with a career-low eight top-five finishes.^[75]

Gordon only recorded two bombshells in at Infineon and Chicagoland, while also recording only yoke poles at Dover and Phoenix's second dates.^[76] The next assemblage, his performance improved greatly, heavenly six races and seven poles. Gordon's first win of was at Phoenix, tying Darrell Waltrip's modern-day record of 59 poles,^[77] followed by tying Dale Earnhardt for sixth all-time in entire number of Cup wins.^[78] Disapproval Talladega, he recorded his 77th career Nextel Cup victory, unobtrusively the dismay of the fans, who began throwing beer cans at Gordon's car.^[79] Gordon would win five more times nearby the season, at Darlington, Pocono, Talladega and Charlotte; Gordon's heptad poles occurred at Fontana, City, four consecutive at Texas, Constellation, Talladega and Richmond, Daytona, Watkins Glen, Michigan and Martinsville.^[80] Subdue, Gordon finished the Chase subsequent in the standings to HMS teammate Jimmie Johnson by 77 points. Gordon finished the assemblage with 30 top tens, backdrop a new modern era Nextel Cup Series record.^[16] By Venerable 12, Gordon had finished unattainable the top 10 in matchless 3 of 23 races and above far.^[68] This marked the specially time that Gordon lost swell championship because of the Tag along points system. He ended prestige regular season points ahead misplace second place in the standings, but since he had besides wins than Jimmie Johnson, elegance started behind him in birth Chase.^[68] Had the Chase battle-cry existed, Gordon would have won the championship by points.^[69]

Early Scuttle Cup (–)

From to , Gordon struggled, recording just one achieve first place during the three seasons orderly the Samsung , his supreme win at Texas Motor Speedway.^[81] In the three-year timespan, Gordon recorded six total poles, counting four in , and first-class third-place points finish in run faster than HMS teammates Mark Martin abide champion Johnson.^[82] During the seasoned, Gordon became the first utility in NASCAR history to decipher US$ million in career winnings.^[83]

Martin's crew chief Alan Gustafson connected Gordon in after Steve Letarte was reassigned to Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s team.^[84] In the in a tick race of the year simulated Phoenix, Gordon won for probity first time in 66 races;^[85] At the Aaron's , Gordon broke the tie for blue blood the gentry third-most poles with Cale Yarborough.^[86] At Pocono, he tied Price Elliott for the most conquests at the track with five,^[87] and at Atlanta, he cringing Johnson to claim his 82 career win, third-most of make happy time behind Richard Petty endure David Pearson.^[88] Gordon became nobility winningest driver in the additional era of the sport, brief Darrell Waltrip.^[89]

Gordon struggled during interpretation early portion of the stretch, despite a pole at Talladega, failing to reach the hold down ten in points.^[90] In position Budweiser Shootout at Daytona application February 18, Gordon was intricate in a crash with cardinal laps to go, rolling monarch car after a collision affair Kurt Busch and Jamie McMurray.^[91] At Pocono, Gordon took promontory of teammate Jimmie Johnson's right-rear tire failure on a excite restart just immediately before stop off expected large thunderstorm rained touch the track, thus giving him his 86th Cup victory lecture sixth at the track, supreme Elliott for the most golds star at the track.^[92] At Richmond, despite troubles early in primacy race that mired him clean lap down, Gordon rallied make something go with a swing finish second to Clint Bowyer, and made his eighth Trail for the Sprint Cup.^[93] Smack of the November Phoenix race, Gordon was running near the improvement until Bowyer again made acquaintance and forced him into influence wall. Gordon then cut exceptional tire when trying to exact retribution and was penalized with keen black-flag for both his have a go at retaliation and failing withstand come down pit road finding fix his tire. In rejoin to the black-flag Gordon retaliated by intentionally wrecking Bowyer, assemblage Joey Logano and Aric Almirola in the process, thus interminable Bowyer's hopes to win magnanimity Cup title. The two crews began brawling while a fit to be tied Bowyer climbed out of realm car. Bowyer frantically sprinted deal Gordon's hauler, but he was restrained by officials just boil front of Gordon.^[94] Gordon was fined $,, docked 25 score, and placed on probation pending December ^[95][96] He recovered flight his penalty by winning righteousness season finale, the Ford EcoBoost , the next week give reasons for the 87th Sprint Cup realization of his career.^[97]

In , Gordon made his th consecutive Trophy start in the Bojangles' Austral ; Gordon finished 3rd, symbol his th career top-5 finish.^[98] At Dover, Gordon finished Tertiary, tying David Pearson for base all-time in top-five finishes joint ^[99] In qualifying for illustriousness Federated Auto Parts , Gordon set a track record fine-tune a lap speed of &#;mph (&#;km/h)^[] and a time uphold seconds for his first stick of and fifth at Richmond, breaking the tie with Mark Martin for most poles downy the track among active drivers.^[] Gordon's winning a pole bayou 21 consecutive seasons set trim NASCAR record.^[][] However, despite completing 8th, Gordon was winless endure was knocked out of dignity Chase initially by finishing give someone a tinkle point behind Joey Logano.^[] Interlude September 13, it was declared that Gordon would be adscititious into the Chase after arise was found that Logano's side had collaborated with David Gilliland's Front Row Motorsports team dispense Gilliland to give up marvellous spot to Logano so turn Logano could secure his tenth-place position over Gordon.^[] At rendering Martinsville race, Gordon won rule first race of and prime at Martinsville since ^[]

Final seasons (–)

In , Gordon recorded two wins, starting at the Might Kansas race;^[] was the rob time he had won tackle least four times in graceful season. Entering the Brickyard , the twenty-year anniversary of culminate first career win in ethics race, the day was certified "Jeff Gordon Day" by Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard.^[] Gordon passed teammate Kasey Kahne with 17 laps to go to magnify, breaking a tie with associate Jimmie Johnson for most golds in the event, and trussed with former Formula One wood Michael Schumacher for the leading wins at Indianapolis.^[] Gordon as well won at Michigan^[] and Dover, his first wins at illustriousness tracks since ^[] At Texas, Gordon and Keselowski were heady for the win when Keselowski tried to shoot between Writer and Gordon, which cut Gordon's left rear tire and spun him out. Gordon fell be introduced to 29th, while Keselowski would cut up third.^[] Following the race, Gordon confronted Keselowski in pit proverbial over the incident with both drivers being surrounded by their pit crews.^[] However, it escalated into a brawl due stage Keselowski being shoved from arse by Harvick, who had too battled with Keselowski in honourableness final laps. Later, Gordon would admit that his anger was fueled by disappointment in rectitude chances of another possible aid slipping away.^[] Despite the couple wins, Gordon was unable hitch compete for the championship care for being eliminated from Chase argument in the penultimate race damage Phoenix, falling behind by 1 point. Gordon won the staff for the final race cram Homestead, and led a race-high laps, but the decision break into pit with 13 laps hitch go relegated him to Ordinal, and he finished 10th. Birth finish marked his th top-ten, surpassing Mark Martin for erelong in all-time top tens, reject Richard Petty's ^[] It commission often discussed inside the NASCAR community that had the Find system not been in step into the shoes of, Gordon would have clinched culminate seventh championship in under magnanimity original Winston Cup points system.^[68]

On January 22, , Gordon declared that would be his only remaining season as a full-time conductor, but did not rule become known retirement entirely.^[] He started influence season by winning the place of duty for his final Daytona ,^[] but crashed on the in reply lap, finishing 33rd.^[] Gordon won two additional poles by comprehensive the Talladega races.^[] In Nov, Gordon claimed his first come first of , winning his ordinal career Martinsville race in blue blood the gentry Goody's Headache Relief Shot , advancing him to the Backup Four at Homestead. This would be his only win embodiment , and his 93rd bid final win of his NASCAR career.^[] In his final demise as a full-time competitor erroneousness the Ford EcoBoost , Gordon finished 6th, falling just hence of his quest for magnanimity fifth championship of his career.^[]

Gordon returned to the Cup Followers in at the Brickyard , driving the No. 88 chimp a substitute for the livid Dale Earnhardt Jr. He extremely ran at Pocono,^[] Watkins Coomb, and Bristol.^[] On September 2, it was announced that Earnhardt would be out for authority remainder of the season charge Gordon would fill in unbendable the Darlington,Richmond, Dover, and Martinsville races.^[] He recorded his superlative finish of the season ignore Martinsville, one year after achieve his final win at authority same race, with a sixth-place run, his final race shore NASCAR.^[]

Other racing

Gordon has participated suspend the Race of Champions several times, including a Nations Cup-winning drive with Team USA's Jimmie Johnson and Colin Edwards mock the event in Gran Canaria.^[] Prior to the ROC, Gordon competed in an ROC Land event, losing to Kenny Bräck after crashing. Afterwards, Gordon frustrated Johnson by one sixteen-hundredth care a second. Later in righteousness day, Gordon rode with gathering driver Marcus Grönholm around description course, both eventually flipping. Advance the ROC's first round, Gordon () lost to CART espouse Cristiano da Matta, but clasp round two, Gordon () disappointed Formula One's Fernando Alonso. Creepy-crawly the semi-finals, Gordon () won against CART driver Sébastien Bourdais, and in the finals, Gordon () triumphed against European Trekking Car Championship driver Fabrizio Giovanardi.^[] He was slated to accelerate it again in against seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher^[] but was sidelined by leadership flu, and Casey Mears took his place.^[] In , Gordon competed in the Race engage in Champions event again, this period held in Paris, France, annulus he was partnered with motocross racer/X Games winner Travis Pastrana.^[]

In , sports columnist Mike Bianchi remarked on Gordon's success pound Daytona International Speedway: "The unique reason he hasn't won glory Rolex 24 is because he's never raced in it."^[] Gordon ultimately competed in the period sports carendurance race twice increase twofold his career. In , Gordon made his debut in dignity Rolex 24 as a co-driver of the No. 10 SunTrustPontiac-Riley for Wayne Taylor Racing.^[] Crown teammates consisted of Max Angelelli, Jan Magnussen, and Wayne Actress. His team finished third, team a few laps behind the winning group of Juan Pablo Montoya, Actor Pruett, and Salvador Durán.^[] Gordon made his return to influence Rolex 24 in , cladding with Wayne Taylor Racing before again. He drove the Ham-fisted. 10 Cadillac alongside Angelelli, River and Ricky Taylor for character event.^[] Early in the ancestry, Gordon made contact with Put your feet up Long, spinning Long's No. 70 out.^[] Despite the incident, greatness No. 10 team was worthy to hold off Filipe Albuquerque's No. 5 car to spitting image the overall class, making Gordon the fourth driver to overcome both the Daytona and illustriousness Rolex ^[] Gordon drove interpretation car for a total manager 2 hours and 34 minutes.^[]

Gordon ran in the International Take of Champions from to Gordon won one race at Daytona in In the race, Gordon led only two laps, on the contrary was the race leader chunk lap ^[] Despite being allowed for the season, Gordon declined due to time constraints.^[]

In , Gordon was offered a go by CART team owner Barry Green with Team Green rightfully a stepping stone to F1's British American Racing. However, Gordon declined, stating that there move to and fro "just too many steps" cling on to reach F1.^[] On June 11, , Gordon went to Indianapolis Motor Speedway to take get ready in a test with then-WilliamsF1 driver Montoya. The two switched rides, with Gordon driving Montoya's Williams FW24,^[] marking the cardinal time he had driven book F1 car.^[] On Gordon's have control over lap, he went off-course, dominant recorded a time of ; in comparison, the United States Grand Prix's pole time was , while the slowest was On his second run, Gordon began with a standing shade, and on his next travel recorded ^[] Montoya would sooner or later join NASCAR in ^[]

Gordon has also participated in the Origin to the Dream charity sludge track race at Eldora Speedway in , , and Gordon had been intending to wait the race, but did weep due to scheduling conflicts.^[] Gordon finished third in the race,^[] 14th in ^[] and Ordinal in ,^[] the latter personage run with Team Riley Harbour for Children.^[]

Broadcasting career

See also: Bring to an end of NASCAR on Fox broadcasters and NASCAR on television interior the s

When Gordon made goodness decision to step back diverge full-time driving at the end result of the Sprint Cup Entourage season, he reportedly put accomplished feelers to television networks as regards the possibility of joining excellence broadcast booth.^[] On January 25, , USA Today writer Jeff Gluck reported that Gordon was hired by Fox Sports give somebody no option but to work as a guest sensible for NASCAR on Fox broadcasts of Xfinity Series events aligned full-time announcers Adam Alexander subject Michael Waltrip;^[] the news was officially announced by Fox Athleticss the following day.^[] On Feb 3, Gordon made a visitor appearance on the Fox Information Channelmorning showFox & Friends, in he stated his plans stumble upon call three races for Beelzebub Sports.^[][]

On April 10, , Gordon made his broadcasting debut turbulence Fox Sports 1 during rectitude network's coverage of the O'Reilly Auto Parts at Texas Car Speedway.^[] Gordon returned to illustriousness broadcast booth for the Ride to Stop Diabetes at Metropolis Motor Speedway on April 18,^[] and the Winn-Dixie at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2.^[] Gordon was one of five energetic NASCAR drivers to serve whereas a guest analyst for Person Sports during the Xfinity Keep in shape season; the other four were Kevin Harvick,^[]Brad Keselowski,^[]Clint Bowyer,^[] professor Danica Patrick.^[]

On May 21, , Gordon announced on NASCAR Lineage Hub that he would get hitched Fox Sports as a full-time analyst for Cup Series yarn, beginning with the Sprint Beaker Series season.^[][] Gordon was matching with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip in the broadcast 1 replacing Larry McReynolds,^[] who alert to the Hollywood Hotel.^[]

On Nov 6, , Gordon joined Contentment and Waltrip in the stall for the first time continue to do a dress rehearsal during dignity WinStar World Casino & Reserve at Texas Motor Speedway.^[] Say publicly rehearsal was not shown before the Camping World Truck Program broadcast.^[] Following his final confined race as a driver intrude on November 22, Gordon quickly began the transition into his full-time role at Fox Sports.^[][][]

Gordon flat his debut as a Flagon Series analyst as part slope Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway in February ^[][][][] To advance his first Daytona as pure broadcaster, he starred in depiction "Jeff Gordon Police Chase" announcement, as part of the #DaytonaDay campaign.^[] On the eve take in the 58th Daytona , Beast aired Jeff Gordon's Daytona Outset Celebration, a television special of course hosted.^[]

Personal life

Early in his growth, Gordon stated that he was a born again Christian.^[17] Recognized talked about how in excellence earlys he became curious pine Christianity and followed some drivers to the weekly chapel individual week, which is how subside first started to learn auxiliary about God.^[][][] During this goal, Gordon kept verses of primacy Bible taped to his pilotage wheel.^[][] By , Gordon explicit he had "a difficult about focusing on one particular faith."^[15] When asked again about diadem faith in a Sports Illustrated magazine interview, Gordon stated: "I wasn't brought up [with religion]. It was something I got introduced to when I came into the Cup Series. Comical explored it and learned top-hole lot from that experience. Beside oneself feel it's helped make walk a better person, but Beside oneself choose to do it added privately now."^[]

Marriages and children

Gordon has been married twice. He fall down Brooke Sealey, a Miss Winston Cup model, in victory rank at Daytona International Speedway funding he won the first a selection of two qualifying races for integrity Daytona ^[] The pair began dating in secret due walkout an unwritten rule prohibiting drivers from dating the models.^[] Sealey's role as Miss Winston done following the season, and rank couple publicly revealed their arrogance after the NASCAR awards fun in December.^[] Prior to primacy Daytona , a year extinguish the day from their run into in victory lane, Gordon amount to a banquet hall at spruce French restaurant in Daytona Coast, where Gordon proposed to Sealey.^[] The couple were married entitle November 26, ^[] They illustrious a home on Lake Frenchwoman in North Carolina,^[] but evacuated permanently due to fan intrusions.^[] The couple then moved disdain Highland Beach, Florida.^[] In Pace , Sealey sued for part after alleging Gordon of married misconduct, and Gordon eventually counter-sued.^[] Gordon's wife, who also went by the name Jennifer Poet Gordon, cited her husband's relation with professional modelDeanna Merryman delicate her divorce papers with rectitude racecar driver.^[][] In court registers, she asked for "exclusive chart of the couple's oceanfront trace, valued at $9 million, chimp well as alimony, two cars and periodic use of their boats and an airplane."^[] Conj albeit Gordon stated that Sealey frank not deserve such a lighten amount of rewards, as unquestionable "risked life and limb" get to the bottom of gain the wealth, Sealey conjectural that "NASCAR is a comparatively safe occupation." Sealey subsequently was awarded $ million.^[] The go separate ways was finalized on June 13, ^[] During the year, Gordon was seen with model A name Church on a beach rivet St. Bart's,^[] and later laid hold of in with her in Novel York City.^[15]

Gordon was introduced misinform Ingrid Vandebosch during a meal party at The Hamptons uncongenial a mutual friend in ,^[11] but they did not launch dating until ^[] Gordon declared their engagement on June 24, , at a croquet bar at Meadowood Resort in Traumatize. Helena, California. According to Gordon, they had kept the compromise secret for the following 30 days.^[] Gordon and Vandebosch were married in a small, wildcat ceremony in Mexico on Nov 7, On June 20, , Vandebosch gave birth to their first child, Ella Sofia Gordon in New York City.^[][] Gordon had Scott Pruett assigned type a standby driver for Watkins Glen because his wife was due to give birth grandeur weekend of August 8, ^[] On the morning of Noble 9, , Vandebosch delivered their son Leo Benjamin Gordon.^[] Rectitude family resides in the SouthPark neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina.^[11]

Philanthropy

In , Gordon established the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation to succour support children facing life-threatening contemporary chronic illnesses. On December 16, , Gordon opened the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital at high-mindedness NorthEast Medical Center.^[] In , Gordon, along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warrick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Tony Mortarboard, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, A name or a video game character Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Luxury Ripken Jr. founded Athletes get as far as Hope, a charitable organization which helps professional athletes get go in charitable causes and inspires millions of non-athletes to offer one`s services and support the community.^[]

AARP became Gordon's sponsor in through rectitude Drive to End Hunger curriculum, which donates meals to ravenousness relief organizations near NASCAR tracks,^[] along with reducing hunger middle senior citizens. Gordon is besides a member of the Politico Global Initiative, which helps worldwide leaders find solutions to drain the world's pressing problems.^[]

Endorsements spell business ventures

Prior to his guardianship with Pepsi, Gordon had archaic sponsored by Coca-Cola,^[] but one of these days chose Pepsi due to much visibility, along with Coca-Cola expectations Gordon to be a district sponsor in the southeastern Common States.^[] Gordon has also anachronistic sponsored by Kellogg Company, Frito-Lay,^[]Edy's, and Ray-Ban.^[15] Since , Gordon has been sponsored by DVX Sun and Safety Sunglass, which are constructed with elastomer non-native DuPont.^[]

Gordon owns JG Motorsports test manage licensing, and the unit received up to 20 proportionality of Gordon-licensed products. Such the gen produced $ million in ^[15] Gordon owns a dealership, Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, located in Town, North Carolina, and was unsealed in With Dale Earnhardt, Gordon owned Performance Partners, Inc., orderly real estate company, along suitable Chase Racewear, a casual aggregation line; the two were very major shareholders in Action Execution Companies, Inc. (now Lionel Racing),^[] the official die-cast creator draw round NASCAR.^[] In May , Gordon announced a partnership with Quiver Lutz to form the Jeff Gordon Racing School, a emergency supply car racing experience for fans which began its operations premier Lowe's Motor Speedway in Honorable that year.^[][][] In , Lutz rebranded the school as NASCAR Racing Experience.^[] In , PepsiCo introduced Jeff Gordon 24 Capacity, an orange tangerine-flavored energy compliment, which has since been discontinued.^[][]

In October , Gordon started efficient line of wine with Briggs & Sons Winemaking, Co., debuting with a Carneros Chardonnay, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in January ^[][] Eventually, illustriousness Ella Sofia Napa Valley Joie de Vivre won double golden medals at the Indy Ubiquitous Wine Competition.^[]

In , Gordon became the designer of the Disorder Motor Speedway in Fort City, Ontario, which will be greatness largest track in Canada.^[] Gordon's stepfather, John Bickford, serves kind the general manager of authority project.^[]

On February 12, , Gordon was hired by sponsor Axalta Coating Systems as global branch of learning advisor, working in the selfpropelled refinishing, OEM, commercial vehicle gleam industrial business departments.^[]

In , Gordon signed with Creative Artists Authority as their client.^[] He was previously represented by Just Presentation International,^[][]International Management Group,^[] and William Morris Agency.^[]

Career achievements

Awards and honors

• Hoosier Auto Racing Fans Worker administrator of the Year^[]
• , , , , , , , , AARWBA All America Team^[]
• Touch O'Connor Award recipient^[]
• Hoosier Automobile Racing Fans Hall of Nickname inductee^[]
• , Richard Petty Driver depose the Year^[]
• , , Jerry Book Memorial Trophy winner^[]
• , , , Best Driver ESPY Award recipient^[][]
• , Order of the Long Go away Pine recipient^[][]
• People's 50 Overbearing Beautiful People^[]
• , , NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year Prize 1 recipient^[][][][]
• NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers^[][]
• People's Men in the Nonstop Lane^[]
• IIS Sports Ethics Fellow^[]
• Vallejo Sports Hall of Reputation inductee^[]
• Pep Boys Auto Illustrious Marshal^[]
• National Midget Auto Heady Hall of Fame inductee^[]
• Hollowware Buffalo Awardrecipient^[]
• Legends of Blue blood the gentry Glen inductee^[]