A New Chapter for Gordon
At 55, Jeff Gordon proved that age is just a number when he crossed the finish line first in both ten‑lap heats of the International Race of Champions in Washington, D.C., a feat not achieved by the veteran since his final Cup Series victory in 2015.
Driving the iconic No. 24 machine owned by Rick Hendrick, Gordon not only reclaimed a place atop the podium but also ended his reign as NASCAR’s all‑time leader in road‑course wins, a record he had held for years.
The milestone came after a decade away from full‑time competition; Gordon retired after the 2015 season but had hinted at a part‑time return, and his surprise appearance on Saturday signaled a willingness to step back into the cockpit.
In the first race, he slipped past Helio Castroneves to take the lead, and in the second heat he overtook Tony Kanaan, completing a clean sweep that left the crowd buzzing.
Kurt Busch, another Hall of Famer, settled for second place, underscoring the competitiveness of the field and adding a nostalgic note to the event.
The IROC weekend served as a prelude to the IndyCar Freedom 250 later that afternoon on the National Mall, promising fans a busy and thrilling day of racing across multiple series.