Sixteen-time National Hot Rod Association champion John Force will pay tribute to NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon this weekend with a special paint scheme honoring the four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion.
The red and blue scheme, billed as “Thank You Jeff Gordon,” will be run on Force’s Peak-sponsored Chevrolet Funny Car during the Carolina Nationals, slated for Friday through Sunday at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina.
The design also includes flames similar to those that adorned Gordon’s earlier NASCAR Sprint Cup entries, as well as the No. 24 on the sides and roof of the car.
“I got the idea for the flames from Jeff telling me years ago he was a fan because I was always on fire,” Force said in a team release announcing the tribute. “He was right; when I got started we were on fire from here to Australia.”
Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports, will retire from full-time competition at the end of 2015. The 44-year-old captured NASCAR Sprint Cup Series titles in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. His 92 career victories rank No. 3 on NASCAR’s all-time wins list, trailing only seven-time champion Richard Petty (200) and three-time champ David Pearson (105). He tweeted Tuesday night: “Man, that is so cool. Thanks, John … for that awesome tribute and paint scheme.”
Gordon is also one of 16 drivers competing in this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, scheduled to get underway this weekend at Chicagoland Speedway with the running of the myAFibRisk.com 400 (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM Radio).
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“I always enjoyed seeing Jeff at races and award banquets,” Force said. “The guy was just so polite and professional but you knew he had the eye of the tiger too. You don’t win all those championships on your good looks.
“This special Funny Car is just a way for me, my family, my team, my sponsors, NHRA and the fans to say thank you for being a great champion and being such a great driver in NASCAR.”
