SPEEDWAY, Ind — Jeff Gordon joked all weekend about not being in the same shape now that he was in before retiring at the end of the 2015 season. But Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR’s “retired” superstar proved himself in good enough form to sustain not only extreme high temperatures but ample pressure.
Gordon, 44, was definitely hot Sunday. In more ways than one.
He passed four cars on the final lap alone to score a 13th-place finish in the Brickyard 400 driving Dale Earnhardt Jr. ‘s No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet while his former Hendrick Motorsports teammate recovers from concussion-like symptoms.
The four-time champ climbed out of the car, grateful for the opportunity to care for Earnhardt’s ride while his friend heals. And for someone who retired from full-time competition at the end of last season, Gordon’s unexpected work this weekend had to be a boost of confidence as he fills in for Earnhardt again next week at Pocono Raceway.
“I’m getting too old for this stuff,” said a smiling Gordon after the race. “Pit strategies and good pit stops kept us in the game.
“It was hot out there, but I was fighting hard and I was able to do that because I had a great car and great team. Unfortunately those restarts at the end didn’t help me out although I did get a few spots back on that final corner, it was pretty exciting and crazy.”
Before speaking with a massive group of reporters, Gordon took an extra lap on track alongside his longtime friend, rival and fellow Hoosier, Tony Stewart in what will likely be both drivers’ final circuit of the famed speedway. The crowd appreciated the special gesture and so did Gordon.
“What a class act he is,” Gordon said of Stewart, who is retiring at the end of the season. “That meant a lot to me, that he invited me to make that last lap with him.
“He and I have gone through a lot over the years and I was with him when he got hurt (this offseason) and to see what he’s done and how tough he is as a competitor. I’m so proud I was here to race with him in my final race (here).”
After the race, Earnhardt called Gordon a “real pro” on Twitter and reiterated that he appreciated “his efforts to help our Axalta Racing team get better.”
Gordon spoke about his eagerness to see Earnhardt at the shop this week to de-brief and discuss.
“Nobody wants to miss a race, especially the Brickyard 400,” Gordon said. “He is friends with Tony. I’m sure he would have liked to have been here for Tony’s last race as well.
“Most of all, I think he should be very proud of his race team. He has an amazing race team. They can’t wait to have him back when he is ready. And, we are all going to work together to do our best to continue to keep that excitement and momentum in the team there for when he is ready to come back, so he comes back and doesn’t miss a beat and can win some races.”
Earnhardt’s crew chief Greg Ives said after the race that while he was pleased with the team’s efforts today, he continues to have high expectations.
“I feel like Dale’s going to say, ‘Good job here,’ ” Ives said. “But here’s some things we’ll need to improve on. Obviously we know what that is. We have to keep our heads up, dig deep and not get discouraged.”
It was certainly a positive day even before Gordon’s final position flashed on the pylon.
Fans were so eager to cheer for him, to have another opportunity to see the track’s winningest NASCAR driver (five Indy wins) race again.
“I was coming anyway to root for Chase (Elliott), but now I get to cheer for Chase and Jeff,” said Tyler Sharp, 27, of Rushville, who said he was a “huge” Jeff Gordon fan until the champ stepped out of the seat. His “24” T-shirt now was in the blue-and-gold of Gordon’s successor, Chase Elliott and the car’s new sponsor, NAPA.
Looking out over the crowd, however, there were actually plenty of Gordon shirts. Joked one fan, “they’re vintage now.”
“I had worn it around the house a couple times since he retired, but for it to have purpose again is kind of cool,” explained fan Blake Carpenter, 28, of Indianapolis, who proudly wore a 2015 edition of a Gordon T-shirt.
During the pre-race drivers’ meeting, Indianapolis Motor Speedway President Doug Boles brought the room to laughter, formally recognizing Sunday as “Jeff’s second ‘last event.’ “at the track. And again, Boles jokingly suggested to the other drivers that having a Hoosier such as Tony Stewart , Ryan Newman or Gordon win at their home track wouldn’t be “such a bad thing.”
Shortly after, Gordon came to the microphone surprising Stewart with a moving tribute followed by a standing ovation.
There was little need for audience interpretation during driver introductions for either Stewart or Gordon. When Gordon was introduced — as being from nearby Pittsboro, Indiana — for his pace car ride-and-wave around the 2.5-mile speedway, the crowd erupted in loud and raucous cheers.
It was a similar scene three hours later as Gordon stood on pit road after the race, greeting his friend Stewart, accessing the day with his crew chief and taking in the unmistakable adoration from the grandstands.
“On one-hand, I’m relieved that this is over and on the other hand I would have liked it to have gone a little bit better,” Gordon offered, then grinned. “I’m looking forward to going to Pocono.”
