Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon says his relationship with Ingrid Vandebosch has changed his perspective. Credit: Autostock

Gordon, Vandebosch trade vows in Mexico

Jeff Gordon married Ingrid Vandebosch in a small, private ceremony in Mexico on Tuesday, it was announced on his Web site on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old Gordon, the sport's most marketable driver, and Vandebosch have been together since 2004. They appeared in the movie Taxi, in which the 37-year-old model played a bank robber and Gordon made an uncredited cameo appearance at her invitation.

REMEMBER WHEN ... Q: OK, Jeff. The important questions first. When and where are you getting married?  Gordon: Ha! I have no idea. ... I don't know yet and I wouldn't tell you if I did know!  •   Read the complete Q&A

Gordon announced his engagement to Vandebosch in Sonoma, Calif., in June and then won the Nextel Cup race the next day.

Gordon sat with NASCAR.COM's David Newton in August at Chicago and talked about the four-time Cup champion's personal life and Gordon was blunt in his comments.

When talking about the changes in his life between 2004 -- when Gordon addressed marriage by saying he was "pretty sure it'll be after my last championship" -- and 2006, Gordon specifically pointed to his new love.

"Obviously, the person has changed my mind," Gordon said of Vandebosch, a Belgian model. "I was probably being a little bit naïve at the time saying that [in 2004]. I don't know."

Gordon also said that his relationship with Vandebosch has changed his perspective.

"When you meet somebody like I have it obviously changes your opinion about a lot of things, about marriage, about life, about racing," said Gordon, who got his two wins this season after going public with his engagement.

"Right now I'm committed to racing, but I'm also thrilled that I've met somebody that I want to get married to and spend that much time with."

Longtime friend Jack Mills said Gordon and Vandebosch are a perfect match -- and noted that he wouldn't be surprised if they one day arrived at the track married instead of planning a big wedding.

As it turned out, that's exactly how it happened.

"They seem to have a way of just being together and shutting out the world," Mills said. "You see them hold hands and hug and do things away from the racetrack, the things you see in a good relationship."

• Are the best of times ahead for Gordon?