CONCORD, N.C. – Jeff Gordon turned his final lap behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet in last night's season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Although he fell short of winning his fifth championship, Gordon is proud of the way not only his last season has been, but his whole career.
“There's no doubt that just being here a part of this day, wrapping up this amazing career, there's no doubt in my mind that it didn't take the championship for me to come out of here feeling like I'm on top of the world,” Gordon said. “And I am.”
And there is one person who has believed in Gordon since the very beginning of his NASCAR days, Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick.
“It’s like right now, the racing doesn’t matter as much as the relationship does,” Hendrick said. “He’s done so much. What he did for me and my family and our company is obvious, 93 wins and four championships. He’s just a special person.”
When Gordon crossed the finish line for the final time in his career, Hendrick was the first person to embrace him as he stepped out of his car.
“It felt so good to see Rick Hendrick,” Gordon smiled. “He's so special to me, more than just a car owner-driver relationship, and I was so happy to have that moment getting out of the car with him.”
And in that moment, Gordon had a present for Hendrick -- his custom-designed helmet adorned with special memories from his career that he wore for his final race.
“I wanted to give him that race helmet,” Gordon said. “I designed that helmet with the intent of giving it to him.”
For Hendrick, that was the moment it hit him that the original driver of the No. 24 Chevrolet had just run his final laps.
“He (Gordon) said I love you and I said I love you,” Hendrick said. “It’s a relationship I can’t explain. It wasn't until right now when he got out of the car and gave me his helmet and said I want you to have this -- that it’s real. It’s over. Until right now, it wasn’t over.”
Gordon may have driven his last race, but his legacy will live on and he'll always be an important part of Hendrick Motorsports.
“The really good news is that we are going to do a lot of things together," Hendrick said about Gordon. “He’s not going to drive a race car, but he’s going to be in the booth and help us with the team. We’re going to get to do some things together that we haven’t had the time to do.”
“I’m just so glad he is a part of my life.”