Jeff Gordon Gets Back Behind The Wheel At Indy Dirt Event

NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon got back on the dirt and felt like a kid again.

This all took place at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, not far from where Gordon spent his formative years, as Gordon put himself in a midget car and was pushed onto the quarter-mile dirt track at the third turn. He then started turning laps.

“I did this 30 years ago, and it's hard to believe it's been that long. And to get back in there, it felt unreal," Gordon told reporters. “Now I want more water on the track, I want to go fast. It's just such a cool car. It takes me back to the time when I was racing midgets and how much I loved them. To be able to slide these cars around and maneuver them on these little bull rings, that was way overdue.”

Gordon, 49, is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series winner, claiming a record five Brickyard 400s along the way. On Thursday, he drove a No. 4 car, reliving his days as a champion on the USAC midget circuit.

He currently serves as a broadcaster for races, and yes, that's a job he intends to keep. He merely came back to promote this year's BC39 card, scheduled for Aug. 18-19.

“I just think instead of the Brickyard being on the oval, the road course, I think they should just bring it over here. I might even come back for that," Gordon joked. “This whole thing is for a great cause, for Bryan Clauson and his memory and being an organ donor and truly saving lives."

So Gordon got to relive his youth and give his fans another memory of him revving up a engine and tackling a track.

“I've not had many bad days in Indianapolis, but this is going to go towards the top," he said. “From my first time racing here, the Brickyard 400, of course the wins are memorable and the F1 swap and then this right up there with them. I'm so thankful to Doug Boles and Tim Clauson for talking me into doing this. I've put it off for way too long. That was the most fun I've had in a long time."

Written by
Sam Amico spent 15 years covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated, FOX Sports and NBA.com, along with a few other spots, and currently runs his own basketball website on the side, FortyEightMinutes.com.