Fox Sports on Thursday announced that Jeff Gordon has signed a multiyear contract with the net that will see him join the net's NASCAR Sprint Cup announce team in '16 as a race analyst after he retires this year as a competitive driver. He will work alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Joy and analyst Darrell Waltrip. Gordon this season will serve as an in-race reporter from his No. 24 Chevy during select Sprint Cup races. Gordon has already called three Xfinity Series races for Fox in '15 (Fox Sports). USA TODAY's Mike Hembree reports Gordon "will work Sprint Cup races, practices and qualifying sessions" for Fox. Larry McReynolds "will move to the pit broadcast booth with Chris Myers and Michael Waltrip." Fox Sports President & COO Eric Shanks said, "It's great to be able to get somebody who will be able to tell you exactly what it's like to try to pass Kevin Harvick or hold off Kevin Harvick" (USA TODAY, 5/22). Gordon said, "The time is right for me to do something different from driving, but I still want to be a part of this sport. I think this is a great time for me to continue to show how much I really care about racing, how much I love it; take the knowledge I've had over the years and hopefully be able to bring that to the fans in a little bit of a unique and new way" ("NASCAR Race Hub," FS1, 5/21). Gordon said that he has "grown more comfortable after each race he's called and is ready to do the work necessary to make a good broadcaster." Gordon: ''There was an adrenaline being in the booth. It's exciting" (AP, 5/22).
DOUBLE DUTY: In Charlotte, Mark Washburn reported Performance Racing Network's Doug Rice this weekend will be the "first race broadcaster to pull off the 'double,' working at the Indianapolis 500 as a pit reporter for IMS Radio Network, then catching a charter flight" back to Charlotte to call the Coca-Cola 600. Rice said, "I should be back before the green flag falls for the 600. Only thing I’m worried about is the weather.” Washburn noted long-range forecasts "are looking good" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 5/20).
