“He definitely threw that idea out to me, and I said, ‘No’” - When Jeff Gordon was clear about his refusal of Rick Hendrick’s "retire" suggestion

Jeff Gordon began his NASCAR Cup Series career with Hendrick Motorsports and stayed with the organization until his career's penultimate race. During his 25-year-long Premier-level tenure, the Californian raked in 93 victories, the third most thus far, and four championships, all in the #24 Chevrolet.

Thus, it has become one of the legendary numbers running under the HMS banner, presently fielded by William Byron. However, the number wouldn't have survived this far had it not been for Gordon refusing his boss Rick Hendrick's suggestion.

During his final Cup Series season in 2015, before beginning the campaign at the Daytona 500, Gordon revealed that Hendrick expressed his desire to retire the #24 car. However, the retiring driver had other ideas. Gordon said (via Sporting news),

"Rick wanted to retire that number for maybe one year or a certain period of time — you never know what NASCAR allows. He definitely threw that idea out to me, and I said, ‘No.'"

The NASCAR Hall of Famer took a clear stance that Chase Elliott, the upcoming rookie, was the "right" choice:

"I think our fans want to see the 24 continue on with the right person and be successful with the right guy, and he’s the right guy.”

Gordon returned to the Cup Series in 2016 after retiring at the end of the 2015 season. However, it was a part-time schedule as he filled in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. who was sidelined due to lingering effects of concussions.

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The drivers who took over the reins of the #24 Chevrolet after Jeff Gordon's retirement

After Jeff Gordon made it clear that he didn't want to see the number with numerous glorious moments retire, Rick Hendrick decided to retain it. Gordon was inclined to see Chase Elliott don his number, and, in 2016, that materialized when the rookie began his season for the team and piloted the #24 Chevy for two consecutive seasons.

Elliott made 72 starts in Gordon's former number and collected 22 top-5s and 38 top-10s. The Georgian moved to #9 in 2018, previously used by his father, the 16-time NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award winner -Bill Elliott.

2018 marked William Byron's rookie season and he is the latest successor of Jeff Gordon's legendary number. Through 252 races run in the #24 Chevrolet, Byron has clinched 13 wins, 54 top-5s, and 104 top-10s.

He has also earned accolades such as the Rookie of The Year honors, the 2024 Daytona 500 Crown Jewel race winner, and more. Byron was the most dominant HMS driver this past season, becoming the sole racer among his teammates to reach the Championship 4 Race.