Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR
Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet, comes to the finish line to win the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 6 in Hampton, Ga.
Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR
Jeff Gordon celebrates in Victory Lane holding up three fingers representing three wins in 2011 after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept. 6 in Hampton, Ga.
Jeff Gordon: Victory No. 85 Adds To Legend
Win Puts 'Four-Time' Alone In Third On All-Time Wins List,
On Top Of Modern Era (1972-Present) List
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Sept. 6, 2011) - Further cementing his legendary status, Jeff
Gordon won the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway, his 85th NASCAR Sprint Cup
Series victory. With the historic milestone win, Gordon took sole possession of
third on the all-time series wins list. Only Richard Petty (200 wins) and David
Pearson (105) have more.
"I have always liked him as a driver," said Pearson, next on Gordon's march up the
wins list. "He is smart, takes care of his equipment and when it is time to go, he
gets right up there with them. Reminds me some of the way I drove. ... He has been
the 'head honcho' for a long time in NASCAR. He was good out of the box and has been
very good ever since."
Gordon also became the Modern Era (1972-Present) wins leader, breaking a tie with
Darrell Waltrip. (Note: "Modern Era" refers to the period in NASCAR Sprint Cup
history when NASCAR shortened the schedule from as many as 62 races in 1964 to the
31-race schedule of 1972. Race numbers fluctuated between 28 and 36 since 1972.)
To commemorate the milestone, NASCAR President Mike Helton presented Gordon with an
"85" mosaic featuring images from each of the four-time champion's victories.
Additionally, special commemorative "85" hats were worn by Gordon and his No. 24
Hendrick Motorsports team in Victory Lane.
During a career that began on the final race of 1992, Gordon assembled a list of
accomplishments fit for a future NASCAR Hall of Famer: Four NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
championships, three Daytona 500 victories, four Brickyard 400 victories, most
road-course wins all-time (nine) and most restrictor plate wins all-time (12).
Still only 40 years of age, the highlight reel can only grow.
FAST FACTS
Jeff Gordon victory Milestones
Below is a timeline of Gordon's notable victories on his way to 85:
1 - On May 29, 1994 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Gordon won his first race. It was
in one of NASCAR's biggest events - the Coca-Cola 600.
2 - Gordon won the inaugural NASCAR race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Aug. 6,
1994. He would go on to win three other IMS races, in 1998, 2001 and 2004.
8 - Won another "crown jewel" race, the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, on Sept.
3, 1995.
19 - On Sept. 29, 1996, won his only race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the final
race at the North Carolina short track.
20 - At the time, became the youngest winner in Daytona 500 history at 25 years, six
months, 12 days on Feb. 16, 1997. His record was later broken in 2011 by Trevor
Bayne (20 years, one day). Gordon also won the Daytona 500 in 1999 and 2005.
28 - On Aug. 31, 1997, won his second Southern 500, capturing a $1 million bonus in
what was known as The Winston Million. The Winston Million was given to any driver
to win three of the following four races: the Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the
Southern 500 and the first Talladega race.
42 - In the season finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Nov. 8, 1998, won his 13th
race of the season, tying a Modern Era record first set by Richard Petty in 1975.
74 - On June 25, 2006, won at Infineon Raceway, his record ninth victory at a road
course.
76 - With a win at Phoenix International Raceway on April 21, 2007, Gordon tied Dale
Earnhardt for sixth on the all-time wins list. Gordon memorably took a victory lap
with a massive No. 3 flag waving out his driver-side window, a tribute to his
long-time rival.
80 - On Oct. 7, 2007 at Talladega Superspeedway, Gordon captured his record 12th
restrictor-plate victory.
85 - In a race delayed two days because of inclement weather, Gordon captures
historic win No. 85 on Sept. 6, 2011 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
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