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Jeff Gordon has had career of a champion

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – NASCAR driver and Pittsboro-native Jeff Gordon is approaching his last Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis. To say he’s had a successful career would be an understatement.

Gordon got behind the wheel at the age of 5, racing at a small track in his original home town of Vallejo, California. He moved to Pittsboro, Indiana as a teenager so he would have more opportunities to race. The minimum age for driving sprint cars was 16.

It didn’t take long for Gordon to find success. By the time he was 18 years old, he won three short-track races and was awarded the USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year in 1989.

His career in NASCAR has been impressive. Gordon has racked up 92 career NASCAR cup victories and captured 80 career poles.

In Indianapolis, Gordon is one of only two five-time Brickyard 400 champions, winning in 1994, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2014.

Gordon has also had success in Daytona, winning the Daytona 500 in 1997, 1999 and 2005.

Off the track, Gordon is philanthropic, regularly contributing to pediatric research. His foundation has raised $14 million for pediatric research since 1999. He’s also a big supporter of the Riley Children’s foundation, hosting an annual bowling tournament for them for the past 13 years.