CONCORD, N.C. -- Sunday at Daytona International Speedway, Jeff Gordon had the thrill of driving the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 pace car, leading an all-Hendrick Motorsports front row to the green flag for the Daytona 500.
But it was no ordinary ride.
Unique to this year’s proceedings was how the pace car was incorporated into the television broadcast. Gordon, a member of FOX’s broadcast booth as a race analyst, communicated directly with his partners from on the track just before the race went green.
Then, in an exchange that was somewhat reminiscent of when Gordon drove the pace car for the Indianapolis 500 and then proceeded to hurry back to Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the 600-mile race, he jumped out of the pace car and rushed straight up to the FOX broadcast booth to join his colleagues and call a thrilling Daytona 500.
Just another day in the life of the four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion!