Cheering for Jeff Gordon One Last Time
![]() |
Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirt and Scuffs |
I’m not alone, though. Anyone who started watching stock car racing’s premier series in the last 23 seasons hasn’t either, so when the green flag flies at Daytona in February, we’re all going to be entering a new era together.
Fortunately, the process of getting used to watching racing without his familiar No. 24 Axalta/AARP Drive to End Hunger Chevy on the track will be eased somewhat by his presence in the Fox broadcasting booth, but I have to tell you, the first time I see Chase Elliott and his NAPA livery with the Number 24 on it is going to be jarring.
Seeing the taciturn young man climb into the car that’s never really been associated with another driver will, quite frankly, be difficult.
Sure, the No. 24 started 1377 races, but the 93 trips to Victory Lane were all with Jeff Gordon behind the wheel. The only other car number at the top of the all-time wins list to be as closely associated with one driver is the No. 43, but Richard Petty didn’t pilot it to all of its 199 wins.
The No. 11 has the most all-time victories with 206, but that car’s roster reads like a Who’s Who of NASCAR with names like Fireball Roberts, Ned Jarrett, Junior Johnson and Bobby Allison.
So to me, and to probably every other NASCAR fan, No. 24 is, and always will be, Jeff Gordon's ride.
Oddly enough, a driver named Cecil Gordon out of Horse Shoe, NC, piloted the No. 24 for 17 seasons, but he never won a race. He led only 23 laps in 443 starts, so it’s unlikely anyone would ever confuse the two Gordons.
But I digress.
![]() |
Jeff Gordon watches the 24 skydivers saluting him during pre-race at Texas Motor Speedway, Nov. 8, 2011. Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs |
Talk about setting the bar high. The only other active driver who might be able to say the same thing at the end of his career is teammate Jimmie Johnson with 504 starts. Johnson, whose No. 48 is co-owned by Gordon, took over second place on the all-time consecutive starts list when Matt Kenseth’s suspension broke his streak of consecutive starts. It will take over eight seasons of racing for Jimmie to overtake Jeff’s record.
Early in my tenure with Skirts and Scuffs, I wrote about how Jeff changed the face of NASCAR and how he earned my loyalty as a fan by dominating the first race (Rockingham) and the first season (1998) I watched racing. Everything I wrote then is still true now. Only the stats have changed.
I was a Gordon fan for 12 years before I started writing for Skirts and Scuffs. I cheered as he won his third and fourth championships, as he set road course records and plate race records. I was embarrassed when the fans at Talladega pelted his car with beer cans when he beat Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a rain-shortened race. I shook my head at his ex-wife’s machinations during their ugly divorce, and had my guts ripped out when Kurt Busch prevailed in the 2004 championship over Gordon and Johnson. Every season the Drive For Five was still alive.
As a writer and editor for a NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps site, I’m not supposed to show favoritism toward any one driver. For the most part that rule hasn’t been too difficult to follow. (I will admit that when seeing Jeff Gordon in person nine times while representing the site at Texas Motor Speedway, the fan in me squealed inwardly each and every time.)
Since 2011, I’ve not publicly called any driver “mine,” not even when Jeff announced his plans to retire, not when he advanced through each round of the Chase, and not when he won at Martinsville to put him in contention for the Sprint Cup he covets so dearly.
Today, though, I’ll beg forgiveness as for just this one race, I’m going to set aside that impartiality and cheer unashamedly for the driver who showed me how much fun watching NASCAR could be. For just this one race, I’m going to fly my fan flag high as Jeff Gordon makes his last start in Sprint Cup racing and competes for one final championship.
When the green flag flies, I'll probably be a bit misty-eyed. And win or lose, when the checkered flag falls, I'll probably shed a few tears. Okay, maybe more than a few.
Nothing against Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch or Martin Truex Jr., mind you. Each has his own compelling story. To me, though, today belongs to Jeff Gordon.
Just one more time. For the good times.
#24Ever.

She's been a part of the Skirts and Scuffs team since May 2011, beginning as a contributor, then became a media rep, photographer, and associate editor covering both NASCAR and the Verizon IndyCar Series.
LJ's other interests include photography, writing, reading, natural health, history, and genealogy. She works for Family Tree DNA, a company that performs DNA testing for genealogical research
Cheering for Jeff Gordon One Last Time
Reviewed by Janine Cloud
on
Sunday, November 22, 2015
Rating:

The end of an era....
ReplyDeleteed hardy outlet
ReplyDeletejordan 11
hollister kids
oakley sunglasses cheap
oakley sunglasses sale
celine bags
oakley sunglasses
cheap rolex watches
marc jacobs handbags
uggs boots
coach outlet online
ugg australia
abercrombie and fitch
michael kors outlet
abercrombie & fitch new york
ugg sale
hollister jeans
air max 90
tods outlet store
nike free 5.0
coach factory outlet online
toms wedges
michael kors outlet clearance
louis vuitton outlet stores
adidas originals shoes
louis vuitton handbags
kobe 9
louis vuitton outlet stores
burberry outlet online
ugg boots
michael kors handbags
gucci outlet
concord 11
ray ban sunglasses outlet
louis vuitton purses
louis vuitton outlet
2016113yuanyuan
North Face Jackets Prada Outlet Burberry Outlet Hollister Clothing Ferragamo Shoes Tiffany Jewelry Tiffany Outlet NFL Jerseys Cheap Jordans Oakley Outlet North Face Outlet Burberry Outlet Ray Ban Sunglasses North Face Outlet Skechers Shoes
ReplyDeleteChan Luu Sale Toms Outlet Oakley Sunglasses Toms Shoes Sale Beats By Dr Dre Coach Outlet Christian Louboutin Shoes Oakley Sunglasses Valentino Shoes Burberry Outlet
Oakley Eyeglasses Michael Kors Outlet Coach Factory Outlet Coach Outlet Online Coach Purses Kate Spade Outlet Toms Shoes North Face Outlet Coach Outlet Gucci Belt North Face Jackets Oakley Sunglasses Toms OutletLouis Vuitton Outlet North Face Outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
ReplyDeletebeats headphones
swarovski jewelry
burberry outlet store
michael kors wholesale
montblanc pens
toms outlet store
tory burch outlet
ghd hair straighteners
louis vuitton bags
air force 1 shoes
ray-ban sunglasses
longchamp pas cher
michael kors factory outlet
michael kors handbags
air max 90
beats headphones
louis vuitton outlet store
michael kors outlet
camisetas futbol baratas
cheap nfl jerseys
michael kors clearance
oakley sunglasses wholesale
cheap jordans
lululemon outlet
asics,asics israel,asics shoes,asics running shoes,asics israel,asics gel,asics running,asics gel nimbus,asics gel kayano
hollister clothing store
toms outlet
football shirts
tory burch outlet
adidas wings
fitflops sale clearance
swarovski outlet
lebron james shoes
nike air max 90
2016513caihuali
Burberry Belt Tory Burch Boots Louis Vuitton Belt Ferragamo Belt Marc Jacobs Handbags Lululemon Outlet Christian Louboutin Shoes True Religion Outlet Tommy Hilfiger Outlet
ReplyDeleteMichael Kors Outlet Coach Outlet Red Bottoms Kevin Durant Shoes New Balance Outlet Adidas Outlet Coach Outlet Online Stephen Curry Jersey Vans Outlet Ralph Lauren Outlet
Ugg Boots Sale UGGS For Women Skechers Go Walk Adidas Yeezy Boost Adidas Yeezy Adidas NMD Coach Outlet North Face Outlet Ralph Lauren Outlet Puma Outlet Polo Outlet
Under Armour Outlet Under Armour Hoodies Herve Leger MCM Belt Nike Air Max Louboutin Heels Jordan Retro 11 Converse Outlet Nike Roshe Run UGGS Outlet North Face Outlet
given article is very helpful and very useful for my admin, and pardon me permission to share articles here hopefully helped :
ReplyDeleteSlimming Capsule Green World
Obat pelangsing herbal
Obat herbal slimming capsule
The article is very interesting and very understood to be read, may be useful for the people
ReplyDeletePengobatan Untuk Hilangkan Mata Ikan
Pengobatan Atasi Luka Bakar
Cara Ampuh Mengobati Radang Usus
Pengobatan Atasi Radang Tenggorokan
Obat Hilangkan Cairan Di Paru-Paru
Obat Untuk Menyembuhkan Disentri
Jual Cytotec Obat Aborsi Asli Obat Penggugur Kandungan & Janin
ReplyDeletejual obat aborsi kandungan
Jual Obat Aborsi, Obat Penggugur Kandungan Aman, Jual Obat Aborsi Tuntas, Jual Obat Aborsi Ampuh
Jual Obat Aborsi Asli Ampuh, Obat Penggugur Kandungan Ampuh
ok
ReplyDeleteHerbal treatment is safe for treating various diseases, so you do not have to worry to try
ReplyDeleteTips Untuk Mengobati Tipes Secara Efektif
Obat Eksim Paling Mujarab
Obat Penurun Kolesterol Tinggi
Obat Bronkitis Kronis
Obat Gondok Tradisional
Obat Paling Ampuh Maag Kronis
I can only express a word of thanks, nothing else. Because with the content on this blog I can add knowledge Thank you very much has been sharing this information. Do not forget to visit our website to share information and knowledge about health.
ReplyDeletecara menyembuhkan batuk rejan
obat kliyengan
cara mengatasi jantung koroner
cara mengobati penyakit dompo
khasiat walatra sehat mata
cara mengobati nyeri ulu hati
If you are looking for the best Things to do around the world, this list has something for everybody from food to history and culture.
ReplyDelete