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Leagues and Governing Bodies

Jeff Gordon Leaves Indelible Mark On NASCAR As He Announces End To Full-Time Racing

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon "helped drag NASCAR from the South into the mainstream over the past 20 years," making him a "game-changer both on and off the track," according to a front-page piece by Scott Fowler of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Gordon on Thursday announced that the '15 Sprint Cup season will be his last as a full-time driver, and Fowler notes like Tiger Woods and LeBron James, Gordon "raised every boat" in his sport's water. Everyone in the sport "made more money because of his starry success, which in turn brought in more TV contracts, fans and sponsorships." Gordon also "helped change the image of stock-car racing as a regional diversion ruled by Southern good ol’ boys into a national sport that could host races all over America and still pull in large crowds" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/23). USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck writes Gordon "changed the face of the sport and launched it into the mainstream sports conversation." He "made a Southern sport palatable for Madison Avenue." His popularity "helped stock car racing shatter stereotypes and redefined what a NASCAR driver should look and act like." Though ticket sales and TV ratings "might experience a boost from fans who want to see the final chapter of Gordon's career, the sport just won't be the same without him" (USA TODAY, 1/23). CBS’ Elaine Quijano notes the California-born, Indiana-bred Gordon “helped transcend the sport of race car driving beyond its Southern roots, elevating NASCAR to a national obsession.” Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg: “Jeff Gordon became the poster boy for NASCAR, and as NASCAR grew, Jeff Gordon fit the image that NASCAR wanted to court. He not only was good, but he was popular. He was polarizing, but he was also marketable to the entire country” ("CBS This Morning," 1/23). 

A TRUE GAME-CHANGER
: In Milwaukee, Dave Kallmann writes Gordon "has been a game changer both behind the wheel and away from the racetrack." Gordon "opened the door" for other former U.S. Auto Club drivers such as Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman and Joey Logano. He "also became the face of NASCAR ... as the sport grew out of the Bible Belt, blew up at the box office and built an $800-million-a-year television package" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 1/23). FS1’s Dan O’Toole said Gordon was “one of the rare people in NASCAR who was able to transcend the sport" ("Fox Sports Live," FS1, 1/22). ESPN.com's Ryan McGee wrote there "is no question" that Gordon was the "clear-cut leader of the charge." McGee: "He and his team also elevated the sport by upping their asks. It was Gordon's team that invented set-time media availability during race weekends. Heck, he was the first driver to have a 'team'" (ESPN.com, 1/22). Fox analyst and NASCAR HOFer Darrell Waltrip: "I believe he is the greatest NASCAR driver there has ever been. What he has done outside the sport has grown the sport’s popularity immensely. I give Jeff a tremendous amount of credit for the youth movement in NASCAR. A lot of people think NASCAR started in 1992, because that’s when he came on the scene and brought in a new, young audience" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 1/23).

PERFECT TIMING
: In Indianapolis, Curt Cavin writes it is "almost impossible to sum up Gordon's impact in words." Cavin: "He was the driver who entered NASCAR's top division as its king, Richard Petty, was retiring. Gordon went nose-to-nose with the sport's most intimidating driver, Dale Earnhardt, winning three championships to Earnhardt's two in their time together. ... Gordon also is the one who convinced team owner Rick Hendrick to hire Jimmie Johnson" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/23). In Dallas, Gerry Fraley writes without Gordon, "there likely is no Texas Motor Speedway." Fraley: "Or Cup racing from Indianapolis to southern California. Or Cup racers from all points in between." In '93, his first full-time Cup season, NASCAR’s area of influence "was restricted to the southeast." Of the 30 Cup races, 13 "were in the Carolinas and Virginia," and it "was very much a regional sport" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/23).

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