Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, thrilled everyone this week when he made an appearance at the Chili Bowl Nationals. In 2025, the California native, who has a lengthy history of dirt racing, will be back on the sidelines to watch the top competitors dominate Tulsa. But what made Gordon return to his grassroots? Gordon swiftly rose through the ranks of NASCAR’s oval circuits after beginning his career on dirt tracks. He solidified his status as one of the greatest racers of all time with over 90 victories.
Gordon’s love for dirt and midget racing has never diminished, even though he has achieved unmatched success in stock car racing. Although spectators are excited for intense combat amongst well-known competitors like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, Gordon’s attendance at the tournament has garnered significant attention. The vice president of Hendrick Motorsport has revealed his biggest motive behind attending the iconic event.
Jeff Gordon is keeping an eye out for the next great thing
Since his early days in dirt racing, Jeff Gordon has been one of the biggest stars in the sport. He was the first active NASCAR driver to compete in the Chili Bowl event in 1990, even as he was just starting out in the sport. Gordon returned to the legendary Tulsa track as the event’s grand marshal during the current season.
However, Gordon disclosed his covert intention to participate in the combat on Saturday. Gordon stated in an open interview with FloRacing that his goal is to find up-and-coming racers and develop them into future Hendrick Motorsports drivers. “Don’t think that I’m just here as a fan watching some dirt racing. We’re gonna keep our eyes open at all times for the next, you know, young talent to come up—the next Kyle Larson, the next Tony Stewart, whatever it may be”,” he remarked.
Gordon is more than just a verbal supporter of midget racing. Senior motorsports reporter Matt Weaver gave him credit for persuading Rick Hendrick, the owner of the HMS team, to permit drivers like Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman to compete in Midget and dirt races. Weaver posted on social media, “He’s the reason Kyle Larson and Alex Bowman have been permitted to race Sprint Cars and Midgets when Mr. H would not otherwise permit it.”
In addition to helping its drivers, this change in HMS strategy has raised awareness of grassroots racing. Gordon’s conviction that these platforms are crucial for identifying talent has been reinforced by Larson’s ongoing success in Midget racing, which includes back-to-back Chili Bowl triumphs in 2020 and 2021.
Gordon added that Hendrick Motorsports is continuously searching both pavement and dirt tracks for up-and-coming talent. Whether it’s short track on dirt or short track on concrete, we want the best talent available. And we can train them, you know, if we can find him young enough. We can enroll them in our program, potentially bringing them up to speed and preparing them to drive in the Hendrick Cup.
The attitude that propels Hendrick Motorsports is reflected in Gordon’s remarks. HMS had earlier this month revealed that 19-year-old dirt racing star Corey Day will be joining. In 2024 alone, Day achieved 10 wins, 25 top-five finishes, and 44 top-10s, making him a dirt racing prodigy. Additionally, he became the youngest-ever winner of the Turkey Night Grand Prix by defeating Kyle Larson.
The 2021 Cup Series champion, who viewed Day as a window into the past, was full of admiration for the 19-year-old. He’s most likely the only one who I think it almost looks like me out there. They have the same driving style and are incredibly adaptable; they can hop in anything and figure it out. When Day made his asphalt Late Model debut last year at Hickory Motor Speedway, driving for JR Motorsports, he dominated the victory lane, showcasing his flexibility. Day’s selection under the HMS driver development program was greatly influenced by this. With the help of the team, he will compete in several races in the Trans Am, Truck, ARCA, and Xfinity series in the coming year.
“Kyle Larson vouches for him, so it was an easy decision,” Gordon added, praising Larson for recognizing Day. This comment emphasizes how HMS’s well-known stars help spot up-and-coming talent.
It’s important to remember that during the off-season, NASCAR forbids drivers from practicing at NASCAR locations. They only permit simulator racing, which frequently fails to provide drivers with greater training. Nonetheless, HMS’s reputation as the sport’s most successful team is justified by letting its drivers compete in other competitions.
