"I know who you are but I'm a Dale Earnhardt fan": When Jeff Gordon reflected on getting a speeding ticket from a NASCAR rival's supporter

Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon once recounted a story about getting a speed ticket. The now-retired driver of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet said that the officer knew who he was, but there was a reason he wasn't let off the hook.

After winning his third Daytona 500 back in 2005, the California native joined "The Ellen Show" with well-known TV show host Ellen DeGeneres. The 93-time Cup Series winner was asked by DeGeneres whether or not he got speeding tickets.

DeGeneres suggested because of Gordon's status as a well-known NASCAR star, he probably gets away with them. However, Gordon explained that isn't always the case, including one time where he wasn't let go for speeding because the police officer who pulled him over was a Dale Earnhardt fan. Gordon said:

"I did get pulled over one time and the guy was writing up the ticket and he's like, 'Here, have a nice day.' I never even got a word in and he said, 'Hey, I know who you are, I follow racing, but unfortunately, I'm an Earnhardt fan, so have a nice day, here's your ticket.' I've had the days where they let me go and I've had the days they don't let me go." (0:43 onwards)

Gordon went to say while he's had his fair share of speeding tickets, he feels racing in NASCAR helps fulfill his love for speed.

"I think that I get it out of my system on the racetrack," Gordon said. "I recognize the safety features we have in the cars, I recognize that everything's relative to a racetrack and the competitiors. What goes on the street is just trying to get from point A to point B." (1:12 onwards)

DeGeneres humorously suggested that when Gordon is going 20 miles per hour on the street compared to racing up to 200 mph in NASCAR, the former must feel like walking. Gordon agreed and explained how it all relates, adding:

"If I've been in the race car for hours during a race, then I get in a street car, then I'm a madman. I try to stay out of street vehicles after a race." (1:35 onwards)

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Jeff Gordon now serves as the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports

Since retiring from full-time NASCAR Cup Series competition after the 2016 season, Jeff Gordon has stayed involved in the sport. Most recently, Gordon became the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.

Prior to that, Gordon ventured in the broadcasting side of the sport when he joined the FOX Sports NASCAR team ahead of the 2016 season. He spent six seasons with the network before transitioning into the vice chairman role.

Gordon won four championships in his career, one of only four drivers to do so. He also ranks third on NASCAR's all-time wins list with 93 victories.