Four-time champion and NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Jeff Gordon is leaving his position as broadcaster for NASCAR on FOX for an executive position with Hendrick Motorsports. As of Jan. 1, 2022, Gordon will be Vice Chairman at HMS.
“Jeff and I have talked about this for many years, and I feel it’s a natural evolution for him and our company,” Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick said. “I’ve always been impressed with his business instincts. On some level, he’s been involved in every major decision we’ve made over the last two decades, and his influence has continued to grow since he stopped driving. He understands our culture, our values, and the importance we place on our people and our partnerships.
“I love racing and competing, and Jeff is the only person I know who hates to lose as much as I do. I feel great physically and have no plans to go anywhere anytime soon, which is exactly why it’s the right time. In the years to come, I couldn’t be more energized about working arm-in-arm with him and cementing the future of Hendrick Motorsports together.”
In the new position, Gordon will be second behind Hendrick in the chain of command at HMS. He’ll join Hendrick on NASCAR’s team owner council and will be the Hendrick Motorsports’ representative on NASCAR’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee.
Gordon was a driver for Hendrick Motorsports for his entire Cup Series career that began with the final race of the 1992 season, included an official retirement at the end of 2015 and saw a return in the second half of the 2016 season as a substitute for the injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. in eight races.
Gordon has 93 Cup Series wins, putting him third on the all-time wins list behind Richard Petty and David Pearson. His four championships between 1995 and 2001 is fourth on the all-time list behind seven-time champs Petty, Dale Earnhardt and former Hendrick teammate Jimmie Johnson.
Gordon was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019, his first year of Hall consideration eligibility.
“I cannot put into words what Hendrick Motorsports means to me,” Gordon said. “In many ways, it’s my home and the people here are my family. I’ve never lost my passion for the organization, for our sport, and for the sheer challenge of racing and winning at the highest level. Being part of the competition is where I’m happiest and feel I can make the biggest contribution to the continued, long-term success of the team. Rick and I have a shared vision, which is based on the values he’s instilled, the culture he’s built and our desire to be the very best in all categories, on and off the track.”