NASCAR, competitors honor Jeff Gordon in final driver-crew chief meeting

By Tom Jensen
Published

Jeff Gordon's final pre-race driver meeting was an emotional one, as NASCAR officials and fellow drivers alike lined up at Homestead-Miami Speedway to honor and pay their respects to one of the sport's all-time greatest drivers.

NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France kicked off the meeting with a video salute to Gordon, which was followed by a lengthy standing ovation for the four-time champion.

Then NASCAR vice chairman Mike Helton took the podium.

"Jeff, congratulations on an outstanding career and thank you for all you've done for NASCAR and will do," said Helton. "And certainly what all you've done throughout that career. You're a true champion and cross over into a lot of venues as a top-shelf guy, so thank you."

Country music star Tim McGraw joined the festivities, along with Edsel Ford, actor Zachary Levi, celebrity chef Robert Irvine, golfer Luke Guthrie, Zac Brown band drummer Chris Fryar and executives from all three automakers who race in NASCAR, among others. 

Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were among the drivers who showed up wearing 24 hats, in honor of Gordon.

As per the normal NASCAR schedule, today's meeting was two hours before the scheduled start time of the season-ending Ford EcoBoost 400 at the South Florida track.

Gordon is retiring after today's race, having amassed four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, 93 race victories and 81 poles. Later today, he will battle for a fifth championship against last year's title holder Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Martin Truex Jr. 

Helton warned the other drivers not to interfere in the championship battle.

"Drivers, and crew chiefs, crewmembers, spotters -- everybody let today's race play out in its natural course. No one needs to interfere with the natural unfolding of this event. ... Be sure that this day concludes on a high note, with no interference of a naturally progressed race."