Five things about ... loving husband, dad Jeff Gordon

Most would agree it's good to be Jeff Gordon.

Actually it's more than good; he's second in the Cup point standings, he's married to a supermodel and his daughter, Ella Sophia, lights up NASCAR's pit road every time the toddler is seen propped on her racing star father's hip.

Fans who have watched this "golden boy" evolve into the sport's best ambassador and better family man can't hear enough about what Gordon is doing away from the track.

This is why NASCAR.COM chatted with the driver about anything and everything but racing during his recent Jeff Gordon Foundation charity bowling event in Indianapolis.

1. Get your roll on ...

Despite an annual event, Jeff Gordon hasn't seen improvement in his bowling game.

For eight years, Jeff Gordon has hosted his own charity bowling tournament and raised more than $1 million for Riley Hospital for Children, but oddly enough, it hasn't improved his score.

"I haven't had a bowling ball in my hand since last year's tournament, so I knew there was probably a good chance it would be pretty ugly but I actually threw a great ball and thought it was going to get the head pin and they played a little trick on me. They were expecting me to throw a gutter ball and made it so all the pins would fall down, but I was actually disappointed because I thought I was going to knock them down anyway."

Gordon admitted, "I'm a terrible bowler. ... there was a time when just for fun I started bowling and I got pretty good at it, I bowled over 200, but those days are long, long gone. Especially being a dad, I have not had any time to do any kind of bowling. If you ask me to build a sand castle or put together some kind of toy I can do that pretty well."

2. Riley Hospital for Children ...

The four-time Cup Series champion makes annual trips to the Indianapolis hospital to talk to doctors about the ongoing advances in treatment and how his donations help, but visiting with the children is what matters most. One boy in particular made an impression on Gordon this year while in town for the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

"We spent some time together, he was quiet and shy. On my way out he said 'hey do you want to play foosball' and you just don't say no to these kids, you don't turn these kids down. I'm always waiting for them to ask me something I can do for them, so I said absolutely and he wore me out on that foosball. It was pretty funny and a good time, he won and had a lot of fun. It meant a lot to him and I was thrilled to do it."

3. Trying for a son ...

Now two years old, Ella Sophia might be looking for a sibling, perhaps a little brother to boss around? Parenting pontificators suggest having kids two years a part, right?

"I would say we'd love to have two, no doubt about it. I mean if it's a boy great, if not, great but we are not there yet."

4. Celebrity kids and play dates ...

Any free time Jeff Gordon can spend with his family, he's going to take it.

When he is home, Gordon makes it a point to take his daughter on outings; the park, museums and even pizza parlors.

"I love any kind of activity that is with her ... well there's Gymboree, there's My Gym, there's Kid' Ville, trust me there's tons of them. I love to see her interact with other kids, whether it's in a park playground or these classes, I love to see her learn where she does or says something and you see a little of yourself or my wife coming out in her. It is something every single day. It's hard to say what my favorite might be."

But isn't it difficult to just run into Chuck E. Cheese when you're a NASCAR star?

"At her age, kids don't know who Jeff Gordon is. While the parents might know, the kids don't and it's all about the kids. I think we share this common interest with our children that we want what is best for them and have a normal life. It hasn't seemed to be a thought. The only issue so far was Los Angeles for the Fontana race. We said lets go to a playground and it just so happened to be the celebrity playground where all the paparazzi were. That I wasn't too crazy about, but the majority of the time when we are around the country or at home and we are out we blend and have a great time and the focus is on the kids."

5. When in Indy ...

He may not have been born in the Hoosier state, but Indiana residents love Gordon just the same.

"When we were testing here I got back to the hotel and a dozen people were waiting in the lobby for autographs, it's cool and great to have that kind of support. The fans mean so much to our sport."

In 1989, Gordon graduated from Tri-West High School in Lizton, Ind., where he was voted prom king.

"I always do keep in touch with friends I went to school with here or they come out to the races and we reminisce. What I found out this year is that my 20th school reunion is coming up. That blew me away. We've been in talks about whether or not I'm going to be able to make it. I think I may have been to one. I feel terrible because I was always racing."