How is Jeff Gordon viewed by other drivers? Insights from the NASCAR community

With a successful career backed by four NASCAR Cup Series championships, Jeff Gordon captured the hearts of not only fans but also drivers. His talent and natural racing instincts inspired many wheelmen, including those who raced alongside him.

Jeff Gordon is a 53-year-old former NASCAR driver who currently serves as the vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports. During his racing career, Gordon amassed 93 Cup wins, making him the driver with the third most wins in NASCAR history. He still holds the record for the youngest driver to win the championship in the modern era at age 24.

How do fellow drivers see the once-in-a-generational talent in Jeff Gordon? Let’s find it out.

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Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson was a Jeff Gordon fan growing up. He used to watch the old Thursday Night Thunder featuring the four-time champion as a kid. Larson revealed that he felt star-struck meeting Gordon in 2011, saying he had never met anyone really famous until that point.

The No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports driver also applauded Jeff Gordon for opening the doors to more aspirational drivers from outside of the South to the Cup Series (via Autoweek). Both drivers are California natives, with Larson and Gordon representing Elk Grove and Vallejo, respectively.

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Jimmie Johnson

Perhaps one of the closest drivers to Jeff Gordon is Jimmie Johnson. The two were teammates at Hendrick Motorsports from 2002, the year Johnson ran full-time in the Cup Series, to 2015, the year Gordon retired from the sport. Despite being younger to him by only four years, Johnson considered Gordon his hero growing up.

The fellow California native said Gordon’s No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet was the only diecast car he bought as a kid.

Jimmie Johnson said that Gordon was more impactful during his early years in the premier series, saying the No. 24 HMS driver helped him with his on and off-track matters. Eventually, Johnson won seven championships, six of which were with Gordon as a teammate.

Their team boss Rick Hendrick also had a lot of praise for Gordon, saying:

“Jeff was so talented. Jeff just could outmaneuver and outdrive (everyone). He and Ray (Evernham, Gordon’s longtime crew chief) were like magic.”

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Brad Keselowski

Another former teammate who is fond of Jeff Gordon is Brad Keselowski. The two were paired during Keselowski's part-time stint with Hendrick Motorsports in 2008 and 2009. He recalled Gordon giving him advice when he was testing the Cup car for the first time.

“I have this picture, and it is kind of a montage that my sister put together for me and one of them is of me and Jeff when I was driving at Hendrick in 2008 and he was giving me some advice and that is a moment I will never forget,” Keselowski said (via NBC Sports).

He added:

“I was getting my first opportunity to test the Cup car and having him come over and give me some advice was probably one of my fondest memories. Certainly, there are more than that, but that is the first one that comes to mind.”

Brad Keselowski later moved to Team Penske for a full-time seat in 2010.

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Dale Earnhardt Sr.

When Jeff Gordon entered the stock car racing league, he was poised to challenge Dale Earnhardt Sr. for wins as a young driver. He spoiled The Intimidator’s quest to reach the unchartered eight championship territory, with Gordon winning it all in 1995, 1997, 1998, and 2001.

According to Dale Earnhardt Jr., his father complimented Gordon for his talent. That was a huge deal considering Earnhardt Sr. would rarely give compliments to his competitors.

The seven-time champ gave Jeff Gordon one of his most famous nicknames to this day, “Wonder Boy.”