Who is Jeff Gordon?

As one of the most popular stars in NASCAR, Jeff Gordon is a character of great interest among the public. While many other drives in the league are aggressive, Jeff Gordon is a more laid back kind of racer who is no only experienced in racing but is also incredibly talented and successful.

The story of Jeff Gordon starts well before his NASCAR days. Born in 1971 in California, Gordon first entered the world of competitive racing when he was eighteen years old. Even before then he won three short track races in the USAC Midget Car Racing league, and he won a top rookie award in the league.

In 1991 and 1992 Jeff Gordon advanced to the NASCAR Busch Series League. Soon after he joined the Winston Cup series. Many people even see him as an heir apparent to racing legend Richard Petty, whose final race was the same one that Gordon made his major debut in.

In 1994 Jeff Gordon won his first career NASCAR race, and soon after he won his first NASCAR Winston Cup. Since this first one Gordon has won four Winston Cups. Only Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. have more Winston Cups than he does.

Even with his success Jeff Gordon has received some criticism from many racing fans. Some accuse Gordon of being too casual and laid back, which is different from other NASCAR drivers. Some people even tried to create hostile rumors about him being gay. However, many people say that these criticisms and insults towards Jeff Gordon are done primarily because he’s a West Coast figure that has been successful in a sport that is more popular in the South than it is out there.

After Dale Earnhardt Sr. died in 2001 many people looked to find who they thought could be the next great icon of NASCAR for the new century. Jeff Gordon became the person people especially looked upon. Gordon has had a great amount of success in a short period of time in his career, and he continues to be one of the top racers in the Nextel Cup series, often making the season ending Chase for the Cup. Gordon’s personality has even been seen as something that is especially marketable for NASCAR in its work to expand to various other places, including the West Coast, Canada and Mexico.

With these many different things in mind, it only makes sense that Jeff Gordon is one of the top drivers in NASCAR history, and the most amazing thing about it is that the story of Jeff Gordon is still being written today. Who knows what impressive feats he will pull off next?

NASCAR notes: CEO Brian France says criticism is fine . . . up to a point - AutoWeek

Globe and Mail

NASCAR notes: CEO Brian France says criticism is fine . . . up to a point AutoWeek NASCAR CEO Brian France says he doesn't mind objective criticism from owners, drivers or crewmen. NASCAR CEO Brian France says he doesn't mind objective criticism from owners, drivers or crewmen, but he draws the line at questioning the integrity of ... NASCAR NEWS: Changes for 2012 NASCAR Season are Big, But Less VisibleHNN Huntingtonnews.net NASCAR to add two hot young stars in 2012Globe and Mail Brian France sees bright outlook for NASCARBoston Herald Daily Caller -Cincinnati.com -SPEEDtv.com all 211 news articles »

NASCAR officials plan limited changes, want to see less two-car drafting in 2012 - Washington Post

USA TODAY

NASCAR officials plan limited changes, want to see less two-car drafting in 2012 Washington Post CHARLOTTE, NC — Since the system isn't broken, NASCAR officials have no plans to change it — at least nothing radical. The sport enjoyed one of its most exciting seasons ever last year, culminating with Tony Stewart winning his third Sprint Cup ... NASCAR still planning to punish those who disparage sportUSA TODAY NASCAR to do away with undisclosed finesBoston.com NASCAR says no more secret fines for driversThe Huntsville Times - al.com all 416 news articles »

NASCAR announces that it will disclose all fines - Yahoo! Sports (blog)

Yahoo! Sports (blog)

NASCAR announces that it will disclose all fines Yahoo! Sports (blog) By Nick Bromberg By Nick Bromberg | From The Marbles – Wed, Jan 25, 2012 5:46 PM EST NASCAR announced Wednesday that it will stop the practice of 'secret fines' and publicly announce all monetary punishments. "NASCAR will no longer issue fines that are ... 2012 NASCAR Preview: Not Many Changes in Store for the SeasonBleacher Report all 4 news articles »

NASCAR-NS: Mike Wallace looking forward to 2012 season - Motorsport.com

NASCAR-NS: Mike Wallace looking forward to 2012 season Motorsport.com Davis has 411 NASCAR Nationwide Series starts as an owner. Wallace has 416 NNS starts as a driver. Moore has 408 combined NASCAR starts atop a pit box. That makes for a good combination of experience between the three. They, and their refurbished team, ... and more »

Bill Fleischman: Pocono Raceway founder - FOXSports.com

The Express Times - LehighValleyLive.com

Bill Fleischman: Pocono Raceway founder FOXSports.com After the Indy cars faded from view at Pocono, NASCAR established itself at the mountaintop track. Through it all, "Doc" Mattioli, supported by his wife Rose, was the force behind the 2.5-mile "Tricky Triangle." Mattioli, the track's founder board ... CUP: Remembering Doc MattioliSPEEDtv.com Pocono Raceway founder Mattioli dies at 86Fox News Pocono Raceway's Joseph Mattioli diesESPN all 208 news articles »

NASCAR: Richard Petty Motorsports to make Nationwide run with driver Michael ... - AutoWeek

FOXSports.com

NASCAR: Richard Petty Motorsports to make Nationwide run with driver Michael ... AutoWeek NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett was not out of a job for long. Richard Petty Motorsports has formed a Nationwide team with Annett and his longtime sponsorship partner, Pilot Flying J. The team will operate out of the Petty team's Concord ... RPM announces new team, Annett to driveMotorsport.com NNS: RPM Forms Team For AnnettSPEEDtv.com RPM Announcement Instills Momemtum As Nationwide Series Heads For DaytonaThe Checkered Flag all 129 news articles »