When Jeff Gordon raced with a pink ‘Papa’s NASCAR car’ designed by his daughter, Ella
Jeff Gordon is set to make a return to Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend, bringing back memories of a special moment from the 2010 NASCAR season. During that season, Gordon drove a pink racecar designed by his then-three-year-old daughter, Ella, as part of a campaign under the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
The pink #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, designed by Ella with the help of NASCAR artist Sam Bass, was featured in the 2010 Emory Healthcare 500, the penultimate regular season race. Starting 18th on the grid, Gordon completed all 325 laps and finished 13th, ensuring he preserved the car his daughter had designed.
The pink car was part of a month-long campaign to raise awareness and support for pediatric cancer. Above the car door, the script “Papa’s Car” was written in place of the driver’s name, commemorating the young designer, Ella.
Reflecting on the unique paint scheme, Gordon humorously commented that the team needed to run fast in the bright pink car and avoid wrecking it, as his daughter wouldn’t want to see her design destroyed.
Despite securing a spot in the Chase for the Sprint, the playoff system at the time, Gordon faced challenges in the postseason, ultimately missing out on the championship to his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jimmie Johnson. Gordon retired from full-time NASCAR competition in 2015, concluding his illustrious career with four Cup Series championships and 93 wins, placing him third on the all-time wins list.
Fast forward to the present, Gordon returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway, now known as EchoPark Speedway, as the vice chairman and co-owner of Hendrick Motorsports. He oversees the operations of the team’s four-car driver lineup, consisting of William Byron, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and Alex Bowman.
Recently, Gordon shared his pride in the Hendrick Motorsports team following their performance at Pocono Raceway. While the results may not have been the best, Gordon expressed optimism for improved outcomes in upcoming races. Chase Elliott led the team with a fifth-place finish, followed by Kyle Larson in seventh, while Alex Bowman and William Byron finished 11th and 27th, respectively.
The HMS drivers will be back in action at EchoPark Speedway for the Quaker State 400 amid NASCAR’s inaugural In-Season Challenge. Elliott, earning the best seed among his teammates in fifth, will lead the charge for the team. The race will be broadcast live on TNT Sports on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET.
In conclusion, Jeff Gordon’s legacy in NASCAR continues to shine through his involvement with Hendrick Motorsports, showcasing his passion for the sport and dedication to supporting charitable causes.
