Phoenix renaming itself to ‘Jeff Gordon Raceway’ in November
Phoenix International Raceway is renaming itself Jeff Gordon Raceway for its November race.
This is not a fake news post. We repeat, this is a real thing.
The track made the announcement Friday at Michigan.
“It’s an honor to have the track named after me, even if only for a day,” Gordon said in a statement. “What a cool gesture by {PIR president] Bryan Sperber, his staff and ISC. I’ve had some great moments at Phoenix International Raceway, and this will just add to the many great memories I have of racing in Phoenix.”
The race at Phoenix on November 15 is likely the penultimate race in the four-time champion’s career. He said he’s leaving full-time driving after the 2015 season and will be an analyst for Fox’s Sprint Cup coverage in 2016.
We’re also guessing that one of Gordon’s great moments at Phoenix was not when he crashed with Clint Bowyer in 2012 and Bowyer sprinted through the garage afterwards.
If Phoenix is going to be Jeff Gordon Raceway, can it at least also contain the Clint Bowyer dragstrip? pic.twitter.com/sIG1rhQXwJ
— Nick Bromberg (@NickBromberg) June 12, 2015
While the festivities at Phoenix are clearly being done with Gordon’s blessing, it’s hard not to think back to what he said in January when he announced he was vacating the seat of the No. 24 car. Gordon made it clear he wanted to minimize distractions as he tried to win a fifth title.
“I want to enjoy this season to the fullest,” Gordon said. “I want my family around me, being a part of it, enjoying it. Yeah, I’m looking forward to going to the track and smiling, lots of reminiscing, and enjoying the people and friendships that I’ve made over the years as well as getting the most out of that race car with my team. I hope all of those things can come together.
One of the things that we are planning on doing and one of my big focuses with [crew chief Alan Gustafson] on this decision was I want my focus to be on driving that race car to the best of my ability, and I don’t think that you can do that and try to have this retirement or sign off type of festivities every weekend.”
So much for that, eh? Though we’ll be honest and say that no matter what Gordon publicly stated in January, a NASCAR competition of one-upmanship was inevitable. NASCAR tracks like pomp and circumstance and ceremony, and no one wants to be the track that doesn’t recognize Gordon, one of the most transformative drivers in the sport.
And hey, it gives us hope that there will be a media center renamed in our honor sometime soon.
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
