Jeff Gordon

At 52 years old, Jeff Gordon has this physical status:

Jeffery Michael Gordon (born August 4, 1971) is an American former professional stock car racing racer, now an announcer for Fox NASCAR, and a top executive for Hendrick Motorsports.

He was formerly the No. 1 on the road. Hendrick Motorsports has competed in 23 full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seasons between 1993 and 2015, and has served as a substitute driver for Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 96. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet won in select races during the 2016 season. Gordon began his racing career with Hugh Connerty Racing, followed by Bill Davis Racing, who won three races, and Hendrick Motorsports' full-time in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 1993.

He has been a four-time Winston Cup champion, having won the title in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001.

In 1997, 1999, and 2005, he also won the Daytona 500 three times.

He is third on the all-time Cup winners list with 93 victories, the most in NASC's modern history (1972–1999).

Gordon's 81 pole positions led all active drivers, making it his third appearance in a row; Gordon claimed at least one pole in 23 years, tying a NASCAR record.

In 1998, Gordon was also the reigning "iron man" leader for seven97 races in a row running for 797.

In 2008, ten years later, ESPN's Terry Blount ranked him 10th in the Top 25 Greatest Drivers of All Time.

Foxsports.com named him as the fifth best NASCAR racer of all time.

The No. is co-owned by Gordon and Rick Hendrick. Jimmie Johnson, who won seven Cup championships from 2006 to 2010, 2012, and in 2016, was the president of 48 Chevrolet.

Gordon also has a minority interest in the No. 1 No. There are 24 people on the team.

Gordon/Evernham Motorsports was co-owned by Gordon Evernham and later purchased as JG Motorsports) from 1999 to 2000, winning twice. Gordon was born in Vallejo, California, and raised in Pittsboro, Indiana, and considers Sonoma Raceway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway as his "home" tracks.

Ella Sofia and Leo Benjamin live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with their two children Ingrid Vandebosch and their two children Ella Sofia and Leo Benjamin.

Personal life

Gordon declared himself a born again Christian early in his career. He talked about how he became curious about Christianity in the early 1990s and followed several sources to the weekly chapel, which is how he first began to learn more about God. During this period, Gordon listened to the Bible taped to his steering wheel. Gordon had "a rough time focusing on one particular faith" by 2004. Gordon spoke about his faith in a 2015 Sports Illustrated magazine interview: "I wasn't brought up [with faith]. When I first joined the Cup Series, it was something I was exposed to. I tried it and learned a lot from it. I think it's made me a better person, but I prefer to do it more privately now."

After winning the first of two qualifying races for the 1993 Daytona 500, Gordon met Brooke Sealey, a Miss Winston Cup replica, in victory lane at Daytona International Speedway. Due to an unwritten law excluding drivers from dating the models, the pair began dating in secrecy. Following the 1993 season, Sealey's tenure as Miss Winston came to an end, and the two couples announced their friendship at the NASCAR awards banquet in December. Gordon reserved a banquet hall at a French restaurant in Daytona Beach, where Gordon proposed to Sealey prior to the 1994 Daytona 500, a year to the day from their victory lane experience. The couple were married on November 26, 1994. They had a home on Lake Norman, North Carolina, but they had to leave permanently due to fan intrusions. The couple then migrated to Highland Beach, Florida. Sealey filed for divorce after accusing Gordon of marital assault, but Gordon later stopped suit. In her divorce papers with Gordon's husband, who also went by the name Jennifer Brooke Gordon, she referred to her husband's association with professional model Deanna Merryman. "Exclusive use of the couple's oceanfront home, valued at $9 million," she wrote in court documents, as well as alimony, two cars, and regular use of their boats and an airplane. Sealey received no money for his efforts, according to Gordon, who "risked life and limb" to gain the money, but Sealey denied that "NASCAR is a relatively safe occupation." Sealey's last claim was granted $15.3 million. The divorce was finalized on June 13, 2003. During the year, Gordon was seen with model Amanda Church on a beach in St. Bart's and later moved to New York City with her.

Gordon was introduced to Ingrid Vandebosch during a dinner party at The Hamptons by a mutual friend in 2002, but they didn't begin dating until 2004. Gordon announced their participation in a croquet festival at Meadowood Resort in St. Helena, California, on June 24, 2006. They had been keeping the engagement private for the following 30 days, according to Gordon. On November 7, 2006, Gordon and Vandebosch were married in a small, private ceremony in Mexico. Ella Sofia Gordon, Vandebosch's first child, was born in New York City on June 20, 2007. Because his wife was due to give birth the weekend of August 8, 2010, Gordon had Scott Pruett assigned as a standby driver for Watkins Glen. Vandebosch's son Leo Benjamin Gordon was born on the morning of August 9, 2010. The family lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they are located in the SouthPark neighborhood.

Gordon created the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation in 1999 to help children with life-threatening and chronic illnesses. Gordon opened the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital at the NorthEast Medical Center on December 16, 2006. Gordon, Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Lance Armstrong, Warwick Dunn, Mia Hamm, Antonio Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Hope, a non-athletic group that encourages millions of non-athletics to volunteer and help the community.

In 2011, AARP became Gordon's sponsor, which gives meals to hunger relief groups near NASCAR tracks, as well as reducing hunger among senior citizens. Gordon is also a member of the Clinton Global Initiative, which assists global leaders in finding solutions to the world's pressing challenges.

Gordon had been sponsored by Coca-Cola prior to his Pepsi engagement, but Pepsi emerged because of increased exposure, and Coca-Cola wanted Gordon to be a regional sponsor in the Southeast United States. Gordon has also been sponsored by Kellogg Company, Frito-Lay, Edy's, and Ray-Ban. Gordon has been supported by DVX Sun and Safety Sunglass, which are made with DuPont's elastomer.

Gordon is the head of JG Motorsports, which is responsible for managing licensing, and the firm has received up to 20% of Gordon-licensed goods. In 1998, such items made $112 million. Gordon Gordon Chevrolet, located in Wilmington, North Carolina, was established in 1998 and opened Jeff Gordon Chevrolet. Gordon, Dale Earnhardt, a real estate firm, and Chase Racewear, a casual clothing line, are both major owners in Action Performance Companies, Inc. (now Lionel Racing), the official die-cast creator of NASCAR. Gordon revealed in May 2005 that he and Bob Lutz would team up to form the Jeff Gordon Racing School, a stock car racing experience for fans that began at Lowe's Motor Speedway in August. Lutz rebranded the academy as the NASCAR Racing Experience in 2009. Jeff Gordon 24 Energy, an orange tangerine-flavored energy drink, was first introduced by PepsiCo in 2007, but has since been discontinued.

Gordon started a line of wine with Briggs & Sons Winemaking, Co., in October 2005, followed by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon in January 2007. The 2007 Ella Sofia Napa Valley Joie de Vivre received two gold medals at the 2011 Indy International Wine Competition.

Gordon was the designer of the Canadian Motor Speedway in Fort Erie, Ontario, which would be Canada's biggest track. John Bickford, Gordon's stepfather, currently serves as the project's general manager.

Gordon was hired as a global business advisor by sponsor Axalta Coating Systems on February 12, 2015, covering automotive refinishing, OEM, commercial vehicle, and industrial sectors.

Gordon became a client of Creative Artists Agency in 2016. He had been previously represented by Just Marketing International, International Management Group, and William Morris Agency.

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Early life and career

Gordon Gordon, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Vallejo, California, to parents Carol Ann Bickford (née Houston) and William Grinnell Gordon of Vacaville, California. When Gordon's mother and biological father were divorced when he was six months old, he was divorced. In the 1970s, John Bickford, his stepfather, married his mother. Kim, his sister, is older by four years, is older than him. James Bickford, his younger cousin, is now competing in the K&N Pro Series West. Gordon attended Trinity West Hendricks High School in Lizton, Indiana, and was on the school's cross country team; he graduated in 1989.

Gordon rode a BMX bike that his stepfather bought for him and started racing quarter midgets at the age of five. The Roy Hayer Memorial Race Track (previously the Cracker Jack Track) in Rio Linda, California, is ranked as the first track Gordon to ever compete on. Gordon had won 35 main events and set five track records by the age of six. Gordon was a champion in 1979 who ran in 51 quarter midget races. Gordon won all 25 of the karting championships he entered when he was 11 years old. Gordon got sick of driving and began a life in waterskiing before returning to driving one year later. Gordon began racing sprint cars in 1986, winning three races. Gordon was given a USAC license at the age of 16, the youngest driver to do so at the time.

Gordon and his family had to tackle an insurance hurdle in the 1980s. The minimum age for driving the sprint cars was 16, and his perseverance paid off with an all Florida speed weeks. Gordon's family migrated from Vallejo, Indiana, where there were more opportunities for younger racers. He competed in the World of Outlaws series in the late 1980s and gained some feature wins. At the time, he was the youngest driver in the World of Outlaws. He has competed at Bloomington and Eldora Speedways, as well as in the Bloomington and Eldora Speedways. He jumped straight into racing after graduating from high school in 1989. Gordon had already won three short-track titles and was named USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year in 1989. On the day before the Indianapolis 500, winning Night Before the 500 midget car race was capped off the season, the season was highlighted. Gordon has competed in sprint cars in Australia and New Zealand during the decade. Gordon won the USAC national Midget championship in 1990 in his second consecutive Night Before the 500, the Hut Hundred, and the Belleville Midget Nationals. Gordon captured the USAC Silver Crown in 1991, and he became the youngest driver to win the season championship at the age of 20. He also won the 4th Crown Nationals midget car race of the season. He was ranked in the Top 3 in 22 of 40 USAC midget car championships from 1989 to 1992 during his midget car career. Gordon participated in the Slim Jim All Pro Series' Winchester 400 in 1992 but came in 24th after crashing on lap 172. He competed in a Featherlite Southwest Tour race at Sears Point Raceway in the following year, finishing 29th after suffering an engine failure.

Gordon showed an interest in IndyCar racing in the early 1990s, but he was unable to locate a ride due to poor funding. However, former Formula One racer Jackie Stewart gave Gordon a test drive in Europe, but Gordon did not perform the procedure due to being in contact with NASCAR.

Broadcasting career

Gordon, who was deciding not to take a full-time driving at the conclusion of the 2015 Sprint Cup Series season, had sent out emails about his potential participation in the broadcast booth to television broadcasters. Gordon was recruited by Fox Sports to serve as a guest analyst for NASCAR on Fox broadcasts of Xfinity Series events alongside full-time announcers Adam Alexander and Michael Waltrip on January 25, 2015. Fox Sports' Jeff Gluck confirmed it on Sunday. Gordon appeared on Fox News Channel morning on February 3, where he announced that he would call three races for Fox Sports.

During Fox Sports 1's coverage of the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 10, 2015, Gordon made his broadcasting debut on Fox Sports 1. On April 18, Gordon returned to the broadcast booth for the Drive to Avoid Diabetes 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway, and the Winn-Dixie 300 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 2. Gordon was one of five active NASCAR analysts on Fox Sports during the 2015 Xfinity Series season; the other four were Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, and Danica Patrick.

Gordon revealed on NASCAR Race Hub on May 21, 2015, that he would work with Fox Sports as a full-time analyst for Cup Series events, beginning with the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season. Gordon was paired with Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip in the television booth, succeeding Larry McReynolds, who moved to the Hollywood Hotel, and replacing Larry McReynolds.

Gordon appeared with Joy and Waltrip in the booth for the first time at a dress rehearsal at the WinStar World Casino & Resort 350 at Texas Motor Speedway on November 6, 2015. During the Camping World Truck Series broadcast, the rehearsal was not shown. Gordon quickly transitioned to his full-time role at Fox Sports following his last scheduled race as a driver on November 22.

In February 2016, Gordon made his debut as a Cup Series analyst as part of Speedweek at Daytona International Speedway. He appeared in the "Jeff Gordon Police Chase" commercial as part of the #DaytonaDay campaign to raise his first Daytona 500 as a broadcaster. Jeff Gordon's Daytona 500 Kickoff Celebration, a television special he hosted, was shown on the eve of the 58th Daytona 500.

Career achievements

Gordon is ranked third among the all-time NASCAR Cup Series winners, with 93 victories on a career basis (1972–present).

Gordon holds the most cup Series victories on restrictor plate tracks (12) and road courses (9), as well as a record six-consecutive road-course victories.

Gordon is the all-time champion of the Cup Series: here are the results:

Gordon was the first NASCAR racer to win more than $100,000 in a row.

Gordon joined former F1 racer Michael Schumacher as the only two racers to win five races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a single racing series in 2014.

Gordon was the fourth driver to win Daytona's 24 Hours of Daytona in 2017; the first three participants were Mario Andretti, A. J. Foyt, and Jamie McMurray.

Gordon has never missed a race since appearing in the Hooters 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on November 15, 1992. Gordon is ninth among all-time Cup Series drivers with 797 starts as of the 2015 Ford EcoBoost 400.

Gordon begged part-time driver Mark Martin to take the No. in 2007 if he could be on standby for him to take over the No. If he had to miss a race to attend the birth of his first child, he may have had to miss a race. Ella Sofia Gordon was born in New York City on Wednesday, June 20; Gordon later this week to compete in the Toyota Save/Mart 350. Gordon asked road course ringer Scott Pruett to be on standby at Watkins Glen due to the impending birth of his second child. Despite Gordon allowing Pruett to run a few practice laps in Gordon's car, Gordon was able to start and finish the race without Pruett's assistance. Son Leo Benjamin Gordon was born less than a day after the race's conclusion. Gordon Smith had Regan Smith on standby for the Coca-Cola 600 in 2014, when Gordon suffered from back spasms during qualifying and practice. Gordon was able to begin and finish the run as planned.

Gordon won his 789th straight race at New Hampshire on September 27, 2015. Rudd is the current NASCAR's iron man, defeating Ricky Rudd, who ran 788 consecutive races from 1981–2005. Gordon concluded his career with 797 races in a row.

Motorsports career results

(Bold – Pole position earned by qualifying time) (Bold) (Bold – Highest) (Bold – Detailed description Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. (Most laps led) – The most laps led.)

Bold (key word) – pole position (overall finish/class finish) – key) Bold (overall finish/class finish) – top position).

(Bold – Pole Position) is the most important. (Most laps led).

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