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Tag: jeff gordon

  • Jeff Gordon Gets New Panasonic Sponsorship Deal

    The Hendrick Motorsports auto racing team this week announced a new, expanded multi-year sponsorship deal with Panasonic. The deal includes primary sponsorship of Jeff Gordon‘s number 24 car in two Sprint Cup races each year through 2016 and an associate-level sponsorship for other races. Panasonic and Hendrick Motorsports have had a technology partnership deal since 2007.

    Jeff Gordon is a four-time Sprint Cup Series winner and one of the most recognizable faces in NASCAR.

    The sponsorship also means a new paint job for Gordon’s number 24 car. The car, complete with a blue Panasonic paint job, will debut this weekend at the Sonoma Raceway in California. The car will also make an appearance on August 31 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. A die cast model of the new car and a new t-shirt featuring the same style are already available for pre-order through Gordon’s website.

    “We’re looking forward to working with Panasonic in a new way, and I can’t think of a better place for their debut with the number 24 team,” said Gordon. “This is the next step in what’s already been a successful partnership, and it’s going to be fun to take it to another level. We hope to kick it off with a win this weekend for Panasonic and Toughbook.”

    For Panasonic, the upside of the deal is promoting its cameras, computers, and displays. Panasonic’s “Toughbook” notebook brand will appear on the number 24 car’s quarter panels.

    “To maximize the value of a NASCAR sponsorship, you need to partner with proven teams and drivers that exemplify your brand,” said Rance Poehler, president of Panasonic System Communications Company in North America. “Hendrick Motorsports and Jeff Gordon have a record of excellence that is a perfect fit for Panasonic and its Toughbook brand. We’ve been a technology partner of Hendrick Motorsports for many years, and as our business evolves to solutions and deeper partnerships with our customers it is an excellent time to extend our relationship from behind the scenes to the car on the track.”

    Image via Twitter

  • Jeff Gordon Raced In Coca-Cola 600 Despite Back Spasms

    Despite experiencing intense back spasms, Jeff Gordon was determined to take part in the Coca-Cola 600 Nascar race on Sunday.

    On Saturday, the Sprint Cup points leader had to cut his practice short, after only 11 laps. He tried to continue, but the pain was too much and he told his crew that he simply couldn’t continue.

    Gordon then climbed out of his car and was escorted off the track to receive treatment. Crew chief Alan Gustafson explained that they would not be participating in the final practice session, but would instead be focusing on getting ready for Sunday night’s race.

    “It’s unfortunate,” Gordon said. “‘I’ve had some spasms in the past, but this one, it was a little bit different. And so I just want to really be cautious and take care of it. It doesn’t do me any good to be in the car right now.”

    Gordon first started feeling the pain after qualifying on Thursday night. “Thursday night after qualifying was when he was feeling the worst. … He did all he could as far as treatment and rest, and whatever is required with hopes today (he’d) be good to go,” Gustafson said.

    Gordon had hoped that the pain would subside before Saturday’s practice sessions, but, unfortunately, the pain continued and Gordon explained that it was “everything I could do” to finish the 11 laps. ”Luckily, we had a good 11 laps there and we’ve got our teammates and information that we’re going to be able to gather from them,” Gordon said. ”It’s all coming together very fast right now.”

    “It’s really about getting prepared for 600 miles tomorrow,” he continued. “I have no doubts that I can be in this car and be competitive if I just take it easy over the next 24 hours.”

    Gordon qualified number 27 for the race that he was won three previous times. The crew hoped that Gordon would at least be able to start the race, and had Regan Smith on standby in case Gordon had to bail out. “He’s extremely tough and extremely dedicated,” Gustafson said on Saturday night. “I know tomorrow he’ll do everything he can to get in and go. … The plan is for him to race.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jeff Gordon Hoax Article Goes Viral

    Jeff Gordon Hoax Article Goes Viral

    A recent hoax that suggests Jeff Gordon is in a relationship with openly gay NASCAR driver Stephen Rhodes has gone viral and many people believe it is true.

    The story began spreading on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook and although the article is made up, it looks real enough that many Nascar fans think it might be true.

    The story says,

    “As if the sports world didn’t have enough people coming out of the closet. A highly respected member of the NASCAR community has come out and admitted he is in a relationship with a fellow openly gay NASCAR member. Jeff Gordon who is going through a divorce said that he is now dating openly gay driver Stephen Rhodes. Gordon joins a list of male athletes who are new to the openly gay sports world.”

    The story even quotes supposed Nascar fans saying,

    “There ain’t no room for that queer crap in NASCAR. This is a man sport that only straight men should be doing,” the story quoted Billy-Bob Benson, a former Jeff Gordon fan. “These queers need to go back and pray that god forgives them for the choice they made. If they wanna be gay go be a fashion designer and not ruin the greatest sport in the world!”

    Although there is no truth to the story and Jeff Gordon has never claimed to be gay or in a relationship with a male, Nascar driver Stephen Rhodes really is gay. In fact, he is the first openly gay man to race for Nascar.

    Neither driver has commented on the story, but many fans are outraged by the hoax and accusations. Jeff Gordon has a wife and two children and has never admitted to being gay. While many Gordon fans realized the article was a hoax as soon as they read it, others were confused by it.

    The website that created the story, Empire Sports, is known for making up fake headlines about professional athletes and celebrities and is good as getting rumors spread and creating viral hoaxes.

    Did you read the Jeff Gordon hoax article and did you think it was true?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Jeff Gordon May Retire From Racing in 2014

    In the last NASCAR media tour, Jeff Gordon mentioned the possibility of retiring from his career if he wins the 2014 NASCAR championship. The stock car racing driver said he was jokingly serious about his statement.

    The 42-year-old racer has already won four NASCAR championships under the Winston Cup. He won in 1995, 1997, 1998, and in 2001. In 2004, Nextel/Sprint started sponsoring the NASCAR races. According to Gordon, his trophies won’t be complete until he has one that reads Sprint Cup, which is his last goal before he retires and spends time with his family.

    Gordon began racing at the young age of 5 and gained interest in sprint car racing when he was just 13 years old. His family then moved to California to support his love of racing, as there were more opportunities for young racers there. Before he was 18 years old, he had already won the USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year. At 20 years old, Gordon was named the youngest racer to have won the season championship for the United States Auto Club.

    Gordon has 88 cup winnings to date, and has had only two winless seasons since 1993. A section of the interstate highway in North Carolina was also named the Jeff Gordon Expressway in 2012 to commemorate his 85th career win.

    Last Thursday, the NASCAR Media Day was held in Daytona Beach. The press had the chance to ask Gordon about how serious he was about his statement in last month’s media tour. The racer replied by saying that winning the championship may trigger him to retire, as he wanted to end his career on a high note.

    The only thing that is holding him back from retiring now is his love of the sport, and of course, a Sprint Cup trophy.

    Jeff Gordon: Champion

    http://youtu.be/Ue-3W_Zy7Bc

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  • Jay Mohr Roasts Danica Patrick at NASCAR Awards Show

    Actor, stand-up comedian, and radio host Jay Mohr provided comedic entertainment at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards Friday night in Las Vegas. Mohr took the stage to roast several of the famous drivers in the audience.

    At least one of them, however, didn’t appear to find Mohr’s ribbing funny.

    Danica Patrick was seated near the stage with her boyfriend and fellow race car driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr., prompting Mohr to send a zinger her way.

    “Danica, I hope you’re not too uncomfortable tonight. I know you’re not used to being this close to the front.”

    Maybe it was the gasp from the audience, or maybe it was the icy look on Patrick’s face that prompted Mohr to add: “It’s a comedy show. Jeez Louise.”

    He then applauded Patrick for being the first woman to win the pole at Daytona and said he respected her for silencing “the haters.”

    Cut-away shots showed Patrick still not looking happy, so Mohr kept at it: “Somebody … put a smile on that face.”

    While his girlfriend could be seen closing her eyes and shaking her head in obvious chagrin, Stenhouse appeared equally put off by Mohr’s roast, which soon turned on Stenhouse himself.

    “Ricky knows what we all know — sometimes the guy has to step aside and let the woman lead … just ask Kevin Harvick,” Mohr said.

    Cut-away shots showed Harvick laughing amiably, obviously more aware that the jokes were indeed just part of a comedy show.

    Mohr rifted on other NASCAR champions present at the awards ceremony, including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, and Clint Bowyer.

    Patrick retaliated later when she accepted an award, thanked her fans for their support, and added “I think it’s pretty safe to say, Jay Mohr’s not one of them.”

    Post by Danica Patrick.

    Last week’s Champions Week celebration in Vegas concluded the 2013 NASCAR season.

    Image via YouTube

  • Jeff Gordon Added to NASCAR’s Chase Field

    Jeff Gordon Added to NASCAR’s Chase Field

    With a week that’s been nothing less than topsy turvy, the adventures of NASCAR have definitely been quite eventful. However, none of the exhilarating fun has taken place on the track. The action has all taken place internally. From reprimanding affairs that have pushed the envelop for a number of fines and suspensions, to structural adjustments to the Sprint Cup field, the logistics have taken precedence over everything else all week.

    But nothing topped today’s announcement which surpassed all others this week. During an expedited news conference, NASCAR officially announced the 12-driver Chase line-up which now includes none other than four-time NASCAR champion, Jeff Gordon. as the 13th driver. Although Gordon slightly missed qualifying this year, the decision still ruled in his favor. According to NASCAR chairman Brian France, this particular decision to implement 13 drivers to the field is, indeed, a first since the arrangement was set up a decade ago. However, according to CBS Sports, France expressed esteemed confidence in his authority to make such an executive decision. “We believe this is the right outcome to protect the integrity, which is our no. 1 goal, of NASCAR,” said France.

    The change gives Gordon the green light to join Kasey Kahne, Jimmie Johnson, and five-time NASCAR champion and veteran racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., all of whom are Hendrick Motorsports’ affiliates.

    Gordon was very gracious for NASCAR’s decision, and didn’t mind displaying his gratitude with a very open statement of appreciate via Twitter.

    Rick Hendrick, Owner of Hendrick Motorsports, was also in full agreement with Gordon’s words of gratitude. Hendrick also issued a brief statement. “I applaud NASCAR for taking the time for a full review. We’re extremely proud to have all four cars in the Chase for the second consecutive season. Jeff and the No.24 team earned this spot,” he said.

     

     

     

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

     

     

  • Jeff Gordon Prank Ad Isn’t Real, But it is Fun

    This week, Pepsi released an ad designed for viral marketing online. It features Nascar driver Jeff Gordon dressing up with a fake beard and moustache, which is ridiculous enough on its own. He then proceeds to supposedly prank a used car salesman by taking a car for a very intense test drive while recording the man’s reactions using a camera hidden in a Pepsi can.

    Of course, the entire thing has been staged. Pepsi hasn’t come out and said so, but the used car salesman’s dialogue is cringeworthy. Saying the name Mike over and over to reinforce the notion he doesn’t suspect the driver is Gordon is particularly bad. Also, shots from some sort of dashboard camera can be seen during the video, and the fine print “CLOSED COURSE. PROFESSIONAL DRIVER. DO NOT ATTEMPT.” is a pretty big give away.

    Still, it’s a fun ad, and imagining that scenario in real life is even more fun. Except for the shouting and screaming that would no doubt take place.

  • Gordon Flips On Date of Earnhardt’s Death

    Gordon Flips On Date of Earnhardt’s Death

    It always makes ’em nervous when there’s a wreck in a NASCAR race. Jeff Gordon is a household name in racing, and his nasty slide and flip in the Budweiser Shootout was a big deal.

    Jeff made contact with Kyle Bush’s bumper near the end of the 75-lap race at the Daytona Speedway and ended up sliding on his roof. Gordon walked away unharmed. Gordon wanted to get flipped over, straighten a few things out and complete the last 2 laps of the race. The Budweiser Shootout kicks off the 2012 NASCAR season.

    Crashes on a speedway have always been cause for concern. But, ever since Dale Earnheardt’s tragic death in 2001, these things are taken much more gravely. Gordon’s crash came eleven years to the day, and on the same race track, after Earnhardt’s fatal crash.