Jeff Gordon's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Jeff Gordon.

Jeff Gordon is a retired American stock car racing driver and current executive at Hendrick Motorsports. Driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports from 1993-2015, he achieved immense success in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and Sprint Cup Series. He is considered one of NASCAR's greatest and most influential drivers, credited with boosting the sport's popularity. Gordon also briefly served as a substitute driver in 2016.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1979: Won 51 Quarter Midget Races

In 1979, at a young age, Jeff Gordon won 51 quarter midget races, demonstrating his early talent and passion for racing.

1989: USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year

In 1989, Jeff Gordon was awarded USAC Midget Car Racing Rookie of the Year.

1990: Won USAC National Midget Title

In 1990, Jeff Gordon won the USAC national Midget title.

1991: Captured USAC Silver Crown

In 1991, Jeff Gordon captured the USAC Silver Crown, becoming the youngest driver to win the season championship at the age of 20.

1991: Busch Series Rookie of the Year

In 1991, Jeff Gordon was named Rookie of the Year in the Busch Series.

1992: Set NASCAR Record for Poles in a Season

In 1992, Jeff Gordon set a NASCAR record by capturing 11 pole positions in a single season.

1993: Full-Time Winston Cup Series Debut

In 1993, Jeff Gordon began competing full-time in the Winston Cup Series, driving the No. 24 car for Hendrick. He won the Gatorade Twin 125's race, earned his first pole position, and finished 14th in points, winning Rookie of the Year.

1994: Busch Clash and Brickyard 400 Wins

In 1994, Jeff Gordon won the Busch Clash exhibition race at Daytona. He also won the Coca-Cola 600 and the inaugural Brickyard 400.

1994: Jeff Gordon Day twenty-year anniversary of his first career win in the 1994 race

In 2014, the twenty-year anniversary of Jeff Gordon's first career win in the 1994 race was commemorated with "Jeff Gordon Day" by Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard.

1995: First Cup Series Championship

In 1995, Jeff Gordon won his first Cup Series championship.

1995: Gordon became youngest Cup Series champion

In 1995, at the age of 24, Jeff Gordon became the youngest Cup Series champion in NASCAR's modern era.

1997: Consecutive Winston Cup Title and Daytona 500 Win

In 1997, Jeff Gordon won his first Daytona 500, becoming the youngest driver to win the race at the time. He also won his second consecutive Winston Cup championship.

1997: Cup Series Championship and Daytona 500 Win

In 1997, Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500 and his second consecutive Cup Series championship.

1998: Record 13 Wins in a Season

During the 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Jeff Gordon achieved a modern-era record of 13 wins in a single season.

1998: Named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers List

In 1998, Jeff Gordon was named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers list.

1998: Third Winston Cup Title

In 1998, Jeff Gordon won a modern-era record 13 races and clinched his third Winston Cup title. He set Winston Cup records, including consecutive wins and top-five finishes.

1998: Cup Series Championship

In 1998, Jeff Gordon won his third Cup Series championship.

1998: International Race of Champions Win

In 1998, Jeff Gordon won one race at Daytona in the International Race of Champions. He led only two laps but was the race leader by lap 30.

1999: Second Daytona 500 win and Lifetime Contract signed with Hendrick Motorsports

In 1999, Jeff Gordon started the season with his second Daytona 500 win. He proceeded to win races at Atlanta, Fontana, Sears Point and Watkins Glen. Following Evernham's departure, Brian Whitesell took over and Gordon won at Martinsville and Lowe's. During 1999, Chip Ganassi and Jerry Jones expressed interest in signing Gordon.

1999: Inaugural race at Phoenix win

In 1999, Jeff Gordon won at the Outback Steakhouse 200, the inaugural race at Phoenix.

1999: Daytona 500 Win

In 1999, Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500.

2000: First Win with Robbie Loomis and 50th Career Victory

In 2000, Jeff Gordon entered his first season with Robbie Loomis as his crew chief. With Loomis, Gordon recorded his first win of the season in the spring Talladega race, marking his 50th career victory. He also won races at Sears Point and Richmond, finishing the season ninth in points.

2000: Win at Homestead

In 2000, Jeff Gordon had a win at Homestead.

2001: Fourth Cup Series Championship

In 2001, Jeff Gordon won his fourth Cup Series championship.

2001: First wins since 2001

In 2014, Gordon also won at Michigan and Dover, his first wins at the tracks since 2001.

2002: Nations Cup-winning drive with Team USA at Race of Champions

In 2002, Jeff Gordon participated in the Race of Champions and won the Nations Cup with Team USA's Jimmie Johnson and Colin Edwards in Gran Canaria.

2002: Three Wins in 2002

In 2002, Jeff Gordon secured three wins at Bristol, Darlington, and Kansas.

2003: Three Wins in 2003

In 2003, Jeff Gordon achieved three wins at Martinsville (twice) and Atlanta.

2004: Five Wins and Third in Nextel Cup Series

In 2004, Jeff Gordon won five races at Talladega, Indianapolis, Fontana, Infineon, and Daytona in the Nextel Cup Series. Despite a 6-race streak of top 5 finishes, the Chase for the Cup points reset erased his lead, leading to a third-place finish in the points standings.

2005: Third Daytona 500 Victory and Chase Inconsistency

In 2005, Jeff Gordon started the season with his third Daytona 500 victory, followed by wins at Martinsville in the Advance Auto Parts 500 and at Talladega. Inconsistency plagued him throughout the year, and he failed to qualify for the Chase. Steve Letarte took over as crew chief, and Gordon eventually won at Martinsville in the Subway 500.

2005: Daytona 500 Win

In 2005, Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500.

2005: Martinsville win since 2005

In 2013, Jeff Gordon won his first race at Martinsville since 2005.

2006: Two Wins and Two Poles in 2006

In 2006, Jeff Gordon recorded two wins at Infineon and Chicagoland, along with two poles at Dover and Phoenix.

2007: Six Wins and Second in the Chase in 2007

In 2007, Jeff Gordon's performance improved greatly with six wins and seven poles. He won at Phoenix, tying Darrell Waltrip's modern-day record of 59 poles, and at Talladega, he recorded his 77th Nextel Cup victory. Gordon finished the Chase second in the standings to Jimmie Johnson.

2007: Most Wins Since 2007

In 2014, for the first time since 2007, Jeff Gordon recorded four wins in a season.

2008: Ranked 10th in ESPN's 25 Greatest Drivers of All-Time

In a 2008 article, ESPN's Terry Blount ranked Jeff Gordon 10th in the 25 Greatest Drivers of All-Time.

2009: Gordon Reaches $100 Million in Winnings

In 2009, Jeff Gordon became the first NASCAR driver to reach US$100 million in career winnings.

2009: Third Place Points Finish and $100 Million in Winnings

In 2009, Jeff Gordon finished third in points and became the first driver in NASCAR history to pass US$100 million in career winnings.

2011: First Win in 66 Races and 85th Career Win

In 2011, Alan Gustafson joined Gordon as crew chief. Gordon won for the first time in 66 races at Phoenix. He broke the tie for the third-most poles, tied Bill Elliott for the most wins at Pocono, and claimed his 85th career win at Atlanta, becoming the winningest driver in the modern era.

2011: Wine Competition Win

In 2011, the 2007 Ella Sofia Napa Valley Joie de Vivre wine from Jeff Gordon's wine line won double gold medals at the Indy International Wine Competition.

2012: Crash at Budweiser Shootout, 86th Cup Victory, and Retaliation Controversy

In 2012, Jeff Gordon struggled early in the season. He was involved in a crash at the Budweiser Shootout. Gordon secured his 86th Cup victory at Pocono. At the November Phoenix race, after contact from Clint Bowyer, Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer, resulting in a fine and probation. He then won the Ford EcoBoost 400.

2013: 700th Consecutive Cup Start and Chase Controversy

In 2013, Jeff Gordon made his 700th consecutive Cup start in the Bojangles' Southern 500 and finished 3rd, marking his 300th career top-5 finish. Gordon was initially knocked out of the Chase but was later added after a controversy involving Joey Logano's team. He secured his first win of 2013 at Martinsville.

2014: Gordon Joins Schumacher with Five Victories at Indianapolis

In 2014, Jeff Gordon became only the second racer, alongside Michael Schumacher, to earn five victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a single racing series.

2014: Four Wins, "Jeff Gordon Day", and Chase Elimination

In 2014, Jeff Gordon recorded four wins, starting at the May Kansas race. Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard declared "Jeff Gordon Day" on the day of the Brickyard 400, which he won. Gordon also won at Michigan and Dover. He was eliminated from Chase contention at Phoenix. It is often discussed that had the Chase system not been in place, Gordon would have clinched his seventh championship in 2014.

September 27, 2015: Gordon Becomes NASCAR's Iron Man

On September 27, 2015, at New Hampshire, Jeff Gordon started his 789th consecutive race, surpassing Ricky Rudd to become NASCAR's iron man. He ended his career with 797 consecutive starts.

2015: Consecutive Races Participated

Through the 2015 season, Jeff Gordon was the active "iron man" leader for consecutive races participated in with 797.

2016: Highest-Paid NASCAR Driver

As of 2016, Jeff Gordon was considered the highest-paid NASCAR driver ever.

2017: Gordon Earns Victories in Daytona Races

In 2017, Jeff Gordon became the fourth driver to earn victories in both the Daytona 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona.

2017: Rolex 24 Win

In 2017, Jeff Gordon returned to the Rolex 24, partnering with Wayne Taylor Racing once again. He drove the No. 10 Cadillac alongside Angelelli, Jordan, and Ricky Taylor. Despite an early race incident where Gordon made contact with Tom Long, the No. 10 team won the overall class, making Gordon the fourth driver to win both the Daytona 500 and the Rolex 24.