The rumor running around NASCAR circles has come to fruition. Legendary driver Jeff Gordon is leaving the Fox Sports NASCAR booth after this season to become vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.
The 49-year-old assumes the duties on Jan. 1 of next year as the second-ranking member of the team, just under chairman Rick Hendrick.
“I cannot put into words what Hendrick Motorsports means to me,” Gordon said in a team press release. “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.”
Sports Business Journal’s Adam Stern was the first to report Gordon might leave at the end of the year. Now it’s a done deal. The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion has been with Fox Sports since he retired from racing in 2015.
“I cannot thank the entire FOX Sports family enough for the incredible opportunity I’ve had over the past six seasons,” Gordon said. “I’ve come to truly appreciate the responsibility of bringing the sport to our fans and the tremendous work that goes into our broadcasts each and every week. I’m certainly going to miss it, but I will forever be grateful to FOX for the experience and for the trust they’ve placed in me. It’s been a privilege to work with such a talented group of people.”
Fox Sports CEO Eric Shanks had some kind words for Gordon as he accepts a role that’s interested him since 2019.
“Just like he did on the track, Jeff distinguished himself as an all-time winner on our FOX Sports team,” Shanks said in the release. “While we are sad to see him go, everyone at FOX Sports wishes Jeff nothing but continued success.”