He’s still got it.
Jeff Gordon swept both races of the star-studded IROC event this weekend, where they competed on a 1.7-mile street course around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. These races preceded the IndyCar race and the inaugural Freedom 250 Grand Prix that also took place on the course, and as a longtime NASCAR fan, I loved seeing Gordon back winning on the track, even with a different series.
He of course returned from the Cup Series back in 2015 and now serves as the Vice Chairman for Hendrick Motorsports. He first competed in IROC seasons between 1995 and 2000, during the prime of his NASCAR career, and so this was certainly a full-circle moment for the legendary driver.
After the win, he told reporter Jamie Little about how much it meant to him to be part of this event which celebrates the “250 years of this great country”:
“This is so special. I mean, of course I ran the IROC series back in the day, but I’ve run a few of these with Ray and Rob Coffman, a big thanks to them. They put a lot of effort into this series and these cars. I can’t thank them enough.
I had a sponsor, Hendrick Cars, thank you hendrickcars.com. It’s Rick‘s, car so I gotta thank him for loaning it to me, and we tuned it up a little bit. It was pretty good, but you know just being out here, being a part of this special event. I mean, the fans are everywhere celebrating 250 years of this great country.”
Gordon also took time to shout out the Busch family in the wake of Kyle’s tragic passing, saying that he was glad to have a sticker to honor him on the car. He also talked about how fun it was to get to race against Kurt Busch again, as they competed against each other in professional racing for many years:
“This is super special, and I wanna shout out to Kyle Bush‘s family. Nice to be able to have that sticker on the car, and I’m excited about what’s gonna happen in Bristol, and then some other things I think NASCAR and the teams have planned.
And to get to race Kurt. He’s so good, especially in these cars, but I’ve raced against him my whole career. He’s so good, I could not give him an inch, and I took an opportunity in turn one and I’m like all right. I gotta just keep eye on him… the car was great and this is just a real honor to be a part of this event.
I’m truly blessed, and I think all of us are super appreciative to be here and to experience with this like this weekend.”
There of course have been rumblings that NASCAR might do something similar in terms of a street race in D.C. now that IndyCar pulled off a successful run, and I think that would be so awesome… nothing goes together like America and NASCAR. It’s almost too obvious…
@speedonfox Jeff Gordon remembers Kyle Busch and talks about what Freedom 250 weekend means for motorsports after his IROC victory. #IROC #FREEDOM250 #NASCAR #JeffGordon ♬ original sound – SPEED with Harvick and Buxton
Plenty of fans were happy to see Gordon winning again too:
“Retired too soon.”
“God Bless America!”
“My heart needed to see this!!”
“If Gordon were back in NASCAR it may be worth watching.”
“Gordon could win driving a snapping turtle.”
“Gosh, this gives me chills. Seeing Jeff back in victory circle is special.”
“When Jeff has the good car no one’s gonna beat him.”
“Outstanding performance Jeff.”
“The goattt!!!”
“True Legend Jeff Gordon.”
“Thank Rick for loaning him the car is hilarious. Hendrick’s was nothing before Gordon.”
“That interview transports me back to an amazing time to watch NASCAR.”
“Miss watching Jeff Gordon drive …….one of the greats.”
“Jeff Gordon still got it GO JEFF GORDON.”
“He’s the goat argue with ya momma! He was a dominate race car driver.”
“The man still has it.”
I don’t know if and when it will happen again, but it was great to see one of the best back behind a wheel and winning just like he used to.
