Jeff Gordon was victorious in a star-studded International Race of Champions (IROC) event on the streets of Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon. The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion won both 10-lap events to earn the overall victory.
The race was the first official event for IROC in 20 years. It was a part of the Freedom 250 weekend as the drivers raced on the 1.7-mile street course that wraps around the National Mall in Washington D.C.
Among the former NASCAR drivers who competed included Gordon, Kurt Busch, Bobby Labonte, Bill Elliott, and Rusty Wallace.
Busch finished second, while Labonte earned fifth, Elliott sixth, and Wallace seventh.
Jeff Gordon reacts to thrilling IROC victory
FOX motorsports reporter Jamie Little caught up with Gordon moments after winning Saturday’s IROC event. The 55-year-old was all smiles as he reflected on the victory.
“It’s so special. Of course, I ran the IROC series back in the day, but I’ve run a few of these with Ray [Evernham] and Rob Kauffman. Big thanks to them. They put a lot of effort into this series and these cars. Can’t thank them enough. I had a sponsor — HendrickCars — thank you, HendrickCars.com,” Gordon said.
Gordon expressed gratitude for champion car owner Rick Hendrick lending him the car for the special event, noting that it was his car.
Getting to be a part of the Freedom 250 festivities and celebrate the United States of America is something that resonated with Gordon.
“We tuned it up a little bit. It was pretty good. Just being out here, being a part of this and this special event, I mean, the fans are everywhere celebrating 250 years of this great country. This is super special,” Gordon said.
When asked about the difference between the first and second races, Gordon laughed that retired NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer not commentating on the radio was beneficial in the second race.
“The first race, he was on the radio and, man, I was missing shifts and brake points. That time, I never heard him and I felt like I ran a really good race. Thanks, Bowyer, for not getting on the radio,” Gordon said.
Jeff Gordon paid tribute to the late Kyle Busch in IROC event
On the side of Gordon’s silver No. 24 IROC car was a sticker dedicated to Kyle Busch, the two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion who passed away on May 21.
Gordon offered his support to the Busch family and was honored to have the sticker on his car for the special event. In the coming weeks, Gordon expects more tributes to “Rowdy” from the NASCAR community.
“I want to shout out to Kyle Busch’s family. Nice to be able to have that sticker on the car and I’m excited about what’s going to happen [at] Bristol and some other things I think NASCAR and the teams have planned. It’s really special,” Gordon said.
It was a pleasure for Gordon to race against Kyle’s older brother, Kurt, on Saturday, and said he could not cut the 2004 Cup Series champion any breaks on the 1.7-mile D.C. course.
“He’s so good, especially in these cars. I’ve raced against him my whole career. He’s so good I could not give him an inch,” Gordon said.
On Sunday, August 23, the NTT IndyCar Series takes to the streets of Washington D.C. for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire takes place on Sunday at 2 p.m. Eastern time.
Jeff Gordon Wins Star-Studded IROC Race in Washington D.C.