Gordon ends sentimental journey with 6th-place run
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HOMESTEAD — The end of the Jeff Gordon Era had everything but the storybook ending.
Gordon had visions of a career walk-off championship, like John Elway exiting as a Super Bowl champ and Ray Bourque did in hoisting the Stanley Cup in his final game. The spirit was willing but machinery wasn’t up to a dramatic denouement in Sunday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
In the final race of a 23-year career, Gordon had a moment early in the Ford EcoBoost 400 when he took the lead for nine laps. But his No. 24 Chevy got off kilter soon after and Gordon finished third among the Championship 4 contenders behind champion Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick, and sixth overall.
“Gosh, I’m a little disappointed, I’ll be honest,” Gordon said. “I thought going into today’s race we had something for them. I think when the sun went down we were missing a little something and just didn’t quite have it when the track cooled down.”
Nonetheless, he concluded, “It’s a happy, good day. I wanted that win, but we’re still going to celebrate. … It didn’t take the championship for me to come out of this feeling like I’m on top of the world.”
The farewell ride started with a tribute video and a standing ovation at the drivers’ meeting. Several drivers wore hats honoring Gordon, including Danica Patrick, Kyle Larson and all of his Hendrick Motorsports teammates — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson and Kasey Kahne.
There was a lot of best-wishing all over social media. Fellow driver Joey Logano posted on Facebook: “You were my idol growing up. Never did I think I’d race against you for wins. Congrats on a great career Jeff Gordon.”
For a while it seemed all the karma of well wishes might carry Gordon to the perfect ending. Starting in the fifth position, he settled into third behind Joey Logano and Busch in the early going.
Then, charging off a restart, Gordon surged into the lead with the sellout crowd roaring as he zoomed past the grandstand.
But it was short-lived as Harvick pulled ahead off the next caution. Another interruption followed soon after Clint Bowyer triggered a multi-car wreck on Lap 47 that took out Dale Earnhardt Jr., among others.
Gordon lost ground quickly on that restart, dropping precipitously from third to ninth. Continuing to drop, he reported a falloff in the performance of his tires and later that the car was too tight into the corners and too loose coming out.
At one point Gordon radioed, ready. I might have a flat tire.”
His crew stabilized the handling issues, but Gordon never got back in contact to challenge Busch and Harvick. He did move up from 10th after the restart off the final caution in the final eight laps.
“Had to work on it, but I love the effort and we showed what we’re made of right there at the end by climbing our way back up to sixth,” Gordon said. “I’m proud of the effort; I’m proud of everything.”
When he climbed out of the car, he shared a long hug with Rick Hendrick, his team owner throughout a career that saw him win four series championships and finish with the third-most Cup wins.
“He’s way more than a car owner to me, and I’m so appreciative. It’s been the most amazing experience,” Gordon said.
“On this day, surrounded by friends and family, people that worked hard on this race team, and all the love that I’ve gotten from the fans and everybody in this sport, there’s nothing better than that.”
The day began with hope, accolades and compliments. Harvick had his picture taken next to Gordon’s car.
During the emotional drivers’ meeting, NASCAR president Mike Helton told Gordon: “We thank you for all you’ve done for NASCAR and will do. You’re a true champion and a top-shelf guy.”
Gordon was touched, saying, “Drivers are so competitive and they might have it inside of them, but to show it publicly, their appreciation for other competitors, doesn’t happen like that very often, and I really, really appreciate it very, very much.”
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