Jeff Gordon is leaving FOX Sports to be a top exec at Hendrick Motorsports, and fans have mixed feelings
Jeff Gordon and FOX Sports’ NASCAR broadcast team just concluded the first half of the Cup Series season — NBC Sports took over last weekend for the remainder of the season — but Gordon won’t be back in the booth in 2022.
After six seasons in the broadcast booth with FOX, the four-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famers is leaving TV to be the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, putting him second in line to team chairman and majority owner Rick Hendrick. The news was first reported by The Athletic before the team announced it Wednesday.
Gordon’s move is far from surprising, especially after Hendrick told Autoweek in 2018: “Whenever I finally step away, it’ll be Jeff Gordon in my place.”
Plus, there have been rumors lately about Gordon’s role at Hendrick expanding.
NEWS: Four-time #NASCAR champion @JeffGordonWeb named vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports. https://t.co/Iyz1Svm5Ny
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) June 23, 2021
I'm excited for this new opportunity at @TeamHendrick!
This team means so much to me.
Rick and I have a shared vision, which is based on the values he’s instilled, the culture he’s built and our desire to be the very best in all categories, on and off the track. https://t.co/sSdw7lYO6U
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) June 23, 2021
Gordon has been an equity owner of Hendrick Motorsports since 1999 and won all four of his championships and 93 races while racing for the team. And now he’s taking on a larger role specifically related to competition and marketing.
More via the HMS release:
“I cannot put into words what Hendrick Motorsports means to me,” Gordon said. “In many ways, it’s my home and the people here are my family. I’ve never lost my passion for the organization, for our sport, and for the sheer challenge of racing and winning at the highest level. Being part of the competition is where I’m happiest and feel I can make the biggest contribution to the continued, long-term success of the team.”
Understandably, fans had a lot of mixed reactions to the news Wednesday, including jokes. Those loyal to Hendrick Motorsports seem pretty pumped to see what kind of additional influence Gordon could have on the team — which has been the team to beat so far this season.
While some are excited, they’re also pretty bummed Gordon won’t be part of FOX Sports’ broadcasts. And according to FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Gordon’s replacement in the booth has yet to be determined, but fans had suggestions for that too.
Happy for @JeffGordonWeb. An incredible opportunity for him. So glad I got the chance to share my first year broadcasting with him. Trust me! No two people ever had more fun than we did this year.
At least I won’t have to agree with him on how good his cars are next yr. https://t.co/gby7M0zzfl
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) June 23, 2021
Is Jeff Gordon the assistant regional manager or the assistant TO the regional manager, please advise. #NASCAR
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) June 23, 2021
Jeff Gordon, the Vice Chairman. Has a nice ring to it.
— Phil Spain (@philenespanol) June 23, 2021
I’ll miss him in the booth but that’s awesome! https://t.co/1tHitHYmla
— Ashlee Simpson (@AshSimpson29) June 23, 2021
Chad Knaus and Jeff Gordon will man Hendrick Motorsports for the foreseeable future.
Oh. My. God. Let's go. https://t.co/UDX3KTnVDH
— BLAISE5⃣ (×4) (@Blaise_Michaux) June 23, 2021
Clint Bowyer: goes to the booth
Jeff Gordon: pic.twitter.com/AzNDplatV4
— DNG (@Danascarguy) June 23, 2021
Maybe Joe Gibbs or Tony Stewart can fill in for the conflict of interest Tv gig ! https://t.co/459b8CZiOS
— David from Maryland (@DavidfromMD) June 23, 2021
Cool! I'm definitely going to miss him calling races with Mike Joy & Clint Bowyer though!!#NASCAR #NASCARonFox https://t.co/yLRyk0BBZY
— Nick Fingar (@Fingar_316) June 23, 2021
Gonna miss having Jeff Gordon in the booth but I rather him being at HMS and making that organization better
— ArabiYan (@yannickquintal) June 23, 2021
Jeff Gordon has always been key to Hendrick’s recent success (signing Jimmie Johnson and Chase Elliott). This is good news for the long-term prospects of Hendrick https://t.co/fNAG2CLiX2
— John (@DisneyCityFC) June 23, 2021
The list of people, in specific order, who should fill the Jeff Gordon spot @NASCARONFOX….
1. Jamie McMurray
End of list.
— Scott Tapley (@ScottTapley) June 23, 2021
OK well than I guess I'll delete this email to Hendrick following up on whether they received my resumé https://t.co/F8KPn7bX39
— nascarcasm (@nascarcasm) June 23, 2021
Going to miss you I the booth @JeffGordonWeb but this is exciting news! Congratulations JG and @TeamHendrick https://t.co/zYqoO080uC
— robin carroll (@robinhartcarrol) June 23, 2021
I’m one of the most die-hard Jeff Gordon fans on the planet but his TV persona wasn’t enough. I’m super glad to hear of his transition to the business side of Hendrick! He’s a competitor. #NASCAR #jeffgordon #nascaronfox
— Jeff Butler (@JButTalksSports) June 23, 2021
I’m really going to miss Jeff Gordon in the booth
— Bryce Williams (@bjwilliams33) June 23, 2021
Congratulations @JeffGordonWeb!! This is HUGE and I’m so excited for you! https://t.co/GR9WtjrQIP
— ???????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????????? (@ctluttrell9) June 23, 2021
He Left Because Of Him… pic.twitter.com/yP11OvcR23
— Rafael Salazar (@RafaelSalazar20) June 23, 2021