DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR Hall of Famer and Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman Jeff Gordon took part in two aspects of the pre-race festivities ahead of the 2023 DAYTONA 500.
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Gordon drove the 75th anniversary Chevrolet Camaro during pace laps prior to the green flag of the race. The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was also part of a group of nine past and present Cup Series champions and DAYTONA 500 winners to serve as the grand marshals for the race. Joining Gordon to give the command was fellow NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison, Bill Elliott, Dale Jarrett and Richard Petty as well as Kurt Busch, Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson and Joey Logano. That roster of dignitaries spanned seven decades of championships and six decades of DAYTONA 500 winners.
"Today, being a part of the sport as much as I have, I just have this greater appreciation and eagerness to dive into the history of Hendrick Motorsports and of past drivers that set the stage for guys like me to be able to come in and thrive. This is a real honor for me," Gordon said when discussing taking part in the command to instruct drivers to start their engines.
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During his career, Gordon won his four championships in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He also won three DAYTONA 500s in 1997, 1999 and 2005. His victory in the 1997 race led Hendrick Motorsports to a historic 1-2-3 finish. With 93 victories, Gordon ranks third on the all-time win list for the sport’s top series.
Sunday’s race kicks off NASCAR’s regular season and the 2023 season marks NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season.