Gordon, Jeff

▪ 1998

      U.S. race-car driver Jeff Gordon sped into the history books in 1997, winning the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's (NASCAR's) Winston Cup season points championship for the second time, an unprecedented feat for a 26-year-old. He also became the first driver to win NASCAR's oldest race, the Southern 500, three years in a row. A handsome Californian whose clean-cut image differed sharply from the rough-and-tumble persona of the traditional stock- car driver, Gordon was disliked by many of his sport's fans. His rare misfortunes, such as a crash that put his Winston Cup hopes in doubt the day before the last race of the season, invariably drew loud cheers from the crowds who witnessed them. Still, Gordon, known popularly as "the Kid," had abundant talent, an aggressive driving style, and a knack for publicity, all of which were credited with drawing new fans to the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.

      Gordon was born on Aug. 4, 1971, in Vallejo, Calif. As a child he raced BMX bicycles until his stepfather, a machinist, bought him a quarter-midget go-cart. Gordon won the national quarter-midget championship at age eight and again two years later. Racing more powerful go-carts, he routinely beat boys nearly twice his age. When Gordon was 13, his stepfather moved his family to Pittsboro, Ind., so that Gordon could legally drive a 650-hp sprint car in a race circuit that did not have a minimum-age requirement. By the time he was 18, Gordon had decided to take up stock-car racing. During the next two years, he gained invaluable experience at a number of driving schools, including that run by the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame race-car driver Buck Baker.

      Racing in NASCAR's Busch Grand National Series (a level below Winston Cup competition), Gordon was named Rookie of the Year in 1991. In March 1992 Rick Hendrick, owner of a Winston Cup team, saw Gordon perform in a race in Atlanta, Ga., and signed him to a contract two days later. In 1993, his first full year of racing on the Winston Cup circuit, Gordon won no major races but did earn Rookie of the Year honours. He turned heads in 1994 when he won the inaugural Brickyard 400, the first major stock-car race held at the Indianapolis (Ind.) Motor Speedway. By 1995 he was winning at a steady clip, claiming his first season points championship that year while earning a record $4,347,343. To open the 1997 season, Gordon became the youngest driver in history to win the sport's premier event, the Daytona 500. Later he became the first driver since Bill Elliott in 1985 to win the Winston Million, a prize awarded to any driver who can win three of the sport's four most difficult races in one season. At the season's end Gordon led all drivers with a total of 10 victories and a record $6.5 million in earnings.

ANTHONY G. CRAINE

* * *

▪ American race-car driver

born Aug. 4, 1971, Vallejo, Calif., U.S.

      American race-car driver who dominated the sport in the 1990s and early 2000s. His aggressive driving style and knack for publicity helped popularize stock-car racing in the United States.

      As a child, Gordon raced BMX bicycles before being given a quarter-midget go-cart. He won the national quarter-midget championship at age eight and again two years later. He soon advanced to more powerful go-carts and routinely beat boys nearly twice his age. When Gordon was 13, his family moved to Pittsboro, Ind., so that he could legally drive a 650-hp sprint car in a race circuit that did not have a minimum-age requirement. By the time he was 18, Gordon had decided to take up stock-car racing, and during the next two years, he gained invaluable experience at a number of driving schools, including that run by the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame race-car driver Buck Baker.

 Gordon competed in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing's ( NASCAR's) Busch Grand National Series (a level below Winston Cup competition) before signing with Rick Hendrick, owner of a Winston Cup team, in 1992. In 1993, his first full year of racing on the Winston Cup circuit, Gordon earned Rookie of the Year honours. The following year he won the inaugural Brickyard 400, the first major stock-car race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and in 1995 claimed his first season points championship. During the 1997 season Gordon became the youngest driver to win the sport's premier event, the Daytona 500, and the first to win the Southern 500, NASCAR's oldest race, three times in a row. These victories helped him capture his second NASCAR championship. In 1998, at age 27, Gordon became the youngest driver to win three season point championships en route to tying Richard Petty's record of 13 victories in one season. He won his second Daytona 500 in 1999, and he took a fourth season points title in 2001, the second-highest career total in NASCAR history behind Dale Earnhardt (Earnhardt, Dale) and Richard Petty (Petty, Richard). In 2004 Gordon won his fourth Brickyard 400. He again won the Daytona 500 in 2005, though he finished that season 11th in NASCAR'S point standings, his lowest final ranking in 12 years.

 

* * *