SONOMA, CA – JUNE 26: Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 AARP Member Advantages Chevrolet, signs autographs for fans during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on June 26, 2015 in Sonoma, California. Photo – Chris Trotman/Getty Images

Jeff Gordon will retire as the winningest driver in Sonoma Raceway history. Despite more than 20 years of dominance at the track, winning did not always come easy for the California native.

Gordon has five wins at the Northern California track, including three in a row from 1998-2000.  But as the saying goes, Gordon had to first experience the agony of losing at his ‘home track’ before achieving the ecstasy of victory.

In 1996, Gordon started sixth and worked his way into the lead on lap 57 of 74. A late caution set up a restart with six laps remaining with NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace lining up second, behind Gordon. Wallace was able to pass Gordon for the win shortly after the restart, with Gordon eventually finishing sixth.

The following season, Gordon started third and was on race leader Mark Martin’s bumper throughout the last lap. Gordon gave one last attempt to get around Martin in the hairpin turn but came up short once again.

In 1998, everything clicked for Gordon, who started the weekend by winning his first Sonoma pole. Gordon led 48 laps, including the last 11, to win his first road course race and move into first place in the standings.  It also kicked off a remarkable stretch of seven wins in nine races that propelled Gordon to his third career championship.

Watch Gordon race the Toyota Save Mart 350 at 3 pm ET on Sunday, June 28th at Sonoma Raceway with broadcast coverage on FOX Sports 1.