NASCAR's Jeff Gordon - From Boy to Superstar

Jeffery Michael Gordon or Jeff Gordon as he isto be eventful as he went on to bring back 11 poles
famously known throughout the world of fast carsin the first season of 1992. That became NASCAR
was born on August 4th, 1971 in Vallejo, Californiahistory. Eventually Gordon started racing full season
and was raised in Pittsboro, Indiana. He is the proudand in 1993, he won his first Daytona 500 qualifying
father of Ella Sofia and the loving husband of Ingridrace, the Rookie of the year award and 14th place.
Vandebosch. Gordon was just five years old whenHis winnings were becoming a major influence on
he took to a makeshift racetrack that his stepfather,young budding race car drivers. Gordon managed to
John Bickford, transformed in Vallejo. That was all itbring home his first career victory in 1994 at the
took to get the racing spirit in the young GordonLowe's Motor Speedway and at the Indianapolis
alive. John Bickford recalls the hours that youngMotor Speedway. He was in the eighth position for
Gordon used to spend around the tracks while tryingthe Winston Cup in the 1994 but he went on to win
to get a feel for the both the track and the car.the first of the four NASCAR Winston Cup
Even though young Gordon was not winning everyChampionships in 1995.
race early on, he did not let that damper his spirits atIn 1998 he bagged a total number of 13 wins in just
all.one season. It made NASCAR and Gordon history as
By the time he turned 6, he had already broughtit was the third year in a row that he was able to
home the top spot for 35 main events and set newwin more than ten races in a single season.
track records. It was only time until this young driverThroughout the years 1997 till 2000, Gordon also
made a huge impact in the professional world ofmanaged to win six consecutive road course races.
racing although he hit a speed bump when aged 13,And as the record stands, Gordon is currently the
he did not let that get in the way. The minimum ageonly NASCAR driver with four Birckyard 400 wins. He
to drive 650 horsepower machines was set at 16 buthas been able to bring back the 3rd place during the
after many appeals were made to the insurance2004 NEXTEL Cup race but did not do as well for the
companies, Gordon was racing the All Star Florida2005 season. Ever since then, Gordon has gone on to
Speedweeks. Because of his enormous talent and hiswin more races and awards. He is truly one of the
vast potential, his family decided to move tobest race car drivers that NASCAR has ever
Pittsboro. It was where the sprint cars went to racewitnessed and continues to awe the crowd.
nationally and Gordon soon found himself gainingBesides racing, Gordon has also made several
recognition. After awhile, Gordon turned to stock carappearances in movies, TV sitcoms and notably on
racing and converted to driving cars with fenders. HeNBC's Saturday Night Live. Add to that his co-hosting
won't three short track races and cinched the Rookieskills on Live with Regis and Kelly which has come up
of the Year title in 1989 when he was just 19. By theto nine times so far. Gordon is not only ace on the
time he was 20, Gordon had become the youngestrace track but has also been able to captivate the
driver to win the USAC Silver Crown.entertainment industry as well.
His debut in the NASCAR Busch Series in 1991 proved