HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- As one of NASCAR's biggest names was set to make his final career start, two other racing celebrities joined the fray.
Standing beside his No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS, Jeff Gordon was joined by motor sports icon Mario Andretti and three-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton on the grid.
"How cool was that?" Gordon exclaimed after the race.
Gordon said that he has always been a huge fan of Andretti, and he first met Hamilton at the Super Bowl several years ago.
"Having those two guys -- and I don't know if they had ever met before," Gordon said. "I'm not sure because it was so cool having them at the car together and getting a picture with those three."
After they posed for photos, Gordon said Hamilton in particular took the opportunity to pick the driver's brain.
"He wanted to know everything about the cars, the competition, the tires, the track, everything, my steering wheel," Gordon smiled. "You know, he's a racer, and I love that, and Mario was just cool as can be, just, 'Man, go do what you know how to do, you've got this, man.'
"That was a great moment."
"I don't necessarily say I'm at their league," Gordon continued. "I just have great respect for them, and I was happy they were here supporting me and being there at the car."