Jeff Gordon demonstrated his competitive fire remains undiminished by sweeping both International Race of Champions events held Saturday in Washington, D.C. The 55-year-old former NASCAR champion claimed victory in consecutive 10-lap races contested on the 1.7-mile street course, overcoming a seventh-place starting position in the first race before winning from the back of the field in the second event following an inverted grid format.
Gordon faced an elite field of racing legends competing in specially prepared Pontiac Firebirds, including fellow NASCAR champions Kurt Busch, Rusty Wallace, and Bill Elliott, alongside IndyCar standouts Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan. Saturday marked the first time the four-time Cup Series champion had competed on a street course, making his perfect record all the more remarkable. The exhibition races preceded Sunday’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix, a full-length IndyCar competition featuring 25 professional drivers.
Gordon’s success reignited his competitive instincts after nearly a decade away from professional racing. Unable to sleep the night before competition, Gordon reflected on how the racing environment affected him regardless of consequences, stating that competitors cannot help but take such opportunities seriously. The Saturday event represented the fifth IROC race since the series was revived in 2024 by Ray Evernham and Rob Kauffman, bringing together drivers from different motorsports disciplines to compete on equal ground.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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