Throughout Jeff Gordon’s final season as a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver, race tracks have been trying to outdo each other in recognition of Gordon’s last visits as a competitor.
The honor bestowed by Bristol Motor Speedway—a grandstand terrace named after the four-time champion. The gift made a visible impression on Gordon when the signage was unveiled in the BMS media center on Friday.
“That means the world to me,” Gordon said. “This place is awesome. I love coming here. I’ve enjoyed competing here, but this is one of those tracks that it brings the fan out in all of us.
“For you to honor me this way means so much to me. I get to enjoy this honor for years to come. I’m very proud of that. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished here and can’t thank you enough.”
Gordon entered Saturday’s Irwin Tools Night Race as a five-time winner at the .533-mile short track, hoping for a sixth victory, which would lock him into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
But Gordon made one important distinction.
“We’re doing everything that we possibly can to be the best we can be, to communicate and work together and come out of this thing knowing that we gave it everything that we’ve got. And so, we don’t need a win.
“A win would be nice. And a win would certainly make things a little easier over these next couple of weeks, but when you say ‘need’ a win, I’ve won 92 times. I don’t need a win. I want to win. That’s all.”
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