Tag Archives: Jeff Gordon

Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson Win Budweiser Duel At Daytona Races; Field Set for DAYTONA 500

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Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2015 Photo - Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 Nationwide Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Budweiser Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2015 Photo – Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

The Budweiser Duel At Daytona races Thursday night at Daytona International Speedway were separate events won in equally dominating fashion by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jimmie Johnson.

The Budweiser Duel, consisting of two 150-mile (60 laps) qualifying races, established positions 3-32 for the 57th annual DAYTONA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, with the top two qualifiers from last Sunday’s DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Kroger – three-time champion Jeff Gordon and two-time champion Johnson – already locked into the front row. Gordon and Johnson started from the pole in the respective Duel events. 

Earnhardt, the defending DAYTONA 500 champion who will start third in “Great American Race,” started from the rear in the first Budweiser Duel event in the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet because his original tenth-place qualifying effort became ineligible due to a height violation found in post-qualifying inspection. The charge to the front resulted in him leading the last 18 laps – and looking like a solid contender to repeat as champion.  Continue reading →

Amid Qualifying Controversy, Jeff Gordon takes the Daytona 500 Pole

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Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet, and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, pose with the Daytona 500 Pole Award and Front Row Award after qualifying for the pole position and front row for the 57th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2015 Photo - Robert Laberge/Getty Images

Jeff Gordon, driver of the #24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet, his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, pose with the Daytona 500 Pole Award and Front Row Award after qualifying for the pole position and front row for the 57th Annual Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 15, 2015 Photo – Robert Laberge/Getty Images

The Sprint Cup Series Qualifying session produced more emotion than anyone imagined and amid some crashing and controversy over the new format, Jeff Gordon took the Pole for Sunday’s Daytona 500 on February 22, televised on FOX at 1 pm ET.

This is Gordon’s 78th pole in 762 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts and he becomes the first pole winner to eclipse 200 miles an hour since 1987. Continue reading →

Today’s Big Story: NASCAR Officiating Takes Center Stage

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NASCAR Officials

Photo – Getty Images

Two big events headline Valentine’s Day for race fans. At Daytona International Speedway the ARCA Racing Series’ Lucas Oil 200 will air on Fox Sports 1 at 4 pm ET; followed by NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series’ Sprint Unlimited at 8 pm ET on FOX.

A big part of today’s stories include veteran Frank Kimmel – the winningest driver in ARCA history – going for his first Daytona win ever; and veteran Jeff Gordon racing his last Sprint Unlimited – after racing 21 consecutive – as he begins his farewell tour throughout the 2015 season and retires his racing career.

While fans are happy to see drivers and their cars back on the track, what will take center stage for NASCAR is what happens behind the scenes after making several changes on how they will officiate their events.   Continue reading →

Jeff Gordon Poised for One Last Season: What Does it Mean for NASCAR and Fans?

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Photo - Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

With the 2015 NASCAR season less than two weeks away, there is intrigue for what the last season has in store for the man known as the “The Kid” Jeff Gordon. Since announcing 2015 is his last season, to his successor being named in Chase Elliot, now is the time for all NASCAR fans to witness what greatness could come out of this situation.

With four wins last season Gordon is still a championship contender which is unlike the norm for somebody who is on their way out of any sport. Like Gordon or not, you can admire what his competitiveness and fire has brought to this sport. From his rivalry with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., to him shoving Matt Kenseth and Jeff Burton, and his four NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, you really do have to appreciate a guy who shows so much passion for the sport and his results. Continue reading →

Appreciation of Jeff Gordon from Around the NASCAR World

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Photo - Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Photo – Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images

Check back for more statements of Jeff Gordon appreciation from dignitaries and media throughout the NASCAR world as they become available….Then add your thoughts by commenting to this post. Thanks!

Statement from Brian France, NASCAR Chairman & CEO:

‘Prolonged excellence and unmatched class continue to earn fans’

 “Jeff Gordon transcends NASCAR and will be celebrated as one of the greatest drivers to ever race. We have all enjoyed watching his legend grow for more than two decades, and will continue to do so during his final full-time season. His prolonged excellence and unmatched class continue to earn him the admiration of fans across the globe. Today’s announcement is a bittersweet one. I’ll miss his competitive fire on a weekly basis, but I am also happy for Jeff and his family as they start a new chapter. On behalf of the entire NASCAR family, I thank Jeff for his years of dedication and genuine love for this sport, and wish him the very best in his final season.”

CEO of International Speedway Corporation Statement from Lesa France Kennedy

“Jeff Gordon’s significance to our sport cannot be overstated. He is an incredible competitor, and a favorite of millions of fans. His contributions throughout his career to NASCAR have elevated our sport’s popularity worldwide. On behalf of the France family and ISC, I thank him for those contributions and wish him the best as he embarks on this next chapter of his career – and his life. We all look forward to watching him take the green flag for his last full-time season, beginning with the DAYTONA 500.”

Continue reading →