In 1994, Jeff Gordon won his first race in NASCAR’s signature series, taking the checkered flag at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway at age 22.
Gordon would win 92 more times after that, becoming racing royalty and a NASCAR hall of famer. Now he’s our latest subject of “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” the multimedia project in which we interview sports stars about their journeys to iconic status and their struggles along the way.
Somehow, Gordon is 51 years old. He’s been a household name in NASCAR for the past three decades. After a six-year stint in the TV broadcast booth, he now works as vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, the place where he launched his own career in the sport. He and his family live in Charlotte.
In his racing prime, Gordon turned into such a crossover star that he became the first NASCAR driver to ever host “Saturday Night Live.” In this interview, which we conducted in his office at Hendrick Motorsports, he talked about his favorite character from that SNL appearance, as well as teaching his daughter how to drive, his early days as a breakdancer (yes, seriously) and his rivalry with Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Sports Legends of the Carolinas is hosted by Scott Fowler. It’s produced by Loumay Alesali, Jeff Siner and Kata Stevens. For lots more on the show, visit
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices (https://megaphone.fm/adchoices)
Charlotte, NC – The Perfect Blend of Urban Excitement and Small Town Charm
Events, Life, Sports, Weather, News
Whether it’s the photo-worthy skyline you’ll catch as you drive in or the thriving nightlife scene that’ll have you cheering on your local sports heroes, Charlotte’s got plenty of exciting things to do. There’s a reason the city is consistently named one of America’s best cities to live in: It’s the perfect blend of urban excitement and friendly, small town charm.
From art galleries with 20th century modernism to museums with a focus on the history of the North Carolina region, there’s something for everyone in Charlotte. In addition to these popular cultural institutions, you’ll find more than 35 miles of greenways for hiking and jogging, whitewater rafting on the Catawba River, and other outdoor activities. Moreover, it’s just a three to four-hour drive to the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic coastline and to the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
While many of the major neighborhoods in Charlotte are highly walkable, most residents will need to own a car since the city is more spread out. Fortunately, traffic is much less a problem than in other metro areas of its size.
Summertime in Charlotte is prime time for boating on the lake, grilling out, and celebrating Independence Day. It’s also the season for a range of popular outdoor events, such as the Annual Wine & Beer Festival and heart-pumping NASCAR races.