FOX Sports analyst and four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon proudly remembers getting fellow racing legend Rick Mears' autograph as a young race fan, so Gordon can relate to the lucky supporters who met him on Tuesday during the Mega Pass Memories with Jeff Gordon event at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Gordon took selfies with more than 100 lucky fans who purchased the Mega Pass ticket package for the incomparable 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder.
The fan photo event took place at the infield Champions Pavilion and gave race fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Gordon, who won his first race in May at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1994. Gordon discussed the upcoming race weekend and the fan event with members of the media.
"I love when I hear from fans saying, 'I've been tracking you down for 20 years,'" Gordon said. "I remember meeting people along the way who I really looked up to, and I got excited. It meant a lot to me. Charlotte Motor Speedway has always been a destination place for race fans all over the country. They get to see the race shops; they get to interact with the drivers at events like this and other ones. They get to obviously see a lot at the track that offers them a lot. This is a special place."
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Gordon won three NASCAR Sprint All-Star Races and five Cup Series points events at Charlotte Motor Speedway during a premier-series career that spanned from 1992 to 2015. This year marks the first time since 1992 that Gordon won't be racing 600 miles on Memorial Day weekend.
"There are certain times and certain events where I go, 'Gosh, I'd love to be a part of that battle,'" Gordon said. "For the most part, I'm enjoying the challenge (of television broadcasting). I'm enjoying the fun I'm having and I'm enjoying stepping away from the intensity. You're talking about being in the car for four, five hours. Pit crews, crew chiefs, spotters, everybody's on edge, pushing it to the limits every single lap. It's just all out.
"Five-hundred miles is a tough race at Charlotte. It really challenges the race teams. Then, you throw in the new aero package and another 100 miles and it makes (the Coca-Cola 600) the toughest (race) on the circuit. I think we'll be in for a great race on Sunday."
TICKETS:
Great seats are still available for the 57th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 29, which features a free pre-race concert by country music star Lee Brice. To purchase tickets, camping and race-day upgrades, call the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
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