CONCORD, N.C. – Jeff Gordon isn’t racing in Sunday’s Brickyard 400. But that won’t stop him from leading the field to the green.
“I’ve decided if I’m going to get back to a racetrack, I want to do it in style and I want to be leading the field,” Gordon joked on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Sunday afternoon at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Gordon will pilot the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 pace car to begin the race.
“I’m pretty overwhelmed because I’ve had a chance to lead the Indy 500, the Daytona 500 and now the Brickyard 400, so I’m really excited about that,” he said. “And I get to drive a cool car.”
After all, the Brickyard has always held a special place in the driver’s heart.
“I grew up, I went to high school in Indiana, I went to the Indy 500 as a kid. I love Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” Gordon said. “It is a very special place. It’s special that NASCAR gets to race there.”
And the honor of driving the pace car will make the 24th annual Brickyard 400 that much more special for Gordon.
“I can’t wait. I’m bringing my whole family there,” he said. “I’m excited just to be there, have my family there and watch the race.”