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Could Jeff Gordon's return to the track signal a legendary comeback in the #24 car?

NASCAR Hall of Famer Jeff Gordon rolled back the years, putting smiles on fans’ faces worldwide! As the vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, Gordon took to a unique circuit that he helped create alongside his friend and boss Rick Hendrick and Speedway Motorsports—one that’s a departure from the traditional NASCAR tracks we all know.

Introducing the Ten-Tenths Motor Club, a fantastic collaboration between Rick Hendrick and Speedway Motorsports, this new circuit promises to be something special. Designed by none other than 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Alexander Wurz, it’s conveniently located next to Charlotte Motor Speedway and is set to make its grand debut in April 2025. Watching Gordon warm up the track is sure to evoke a wave of nostalgia for fans, reminding them of the thrilling moments that have made him a legend in the sport.

The No. 24 runs the Garage 56 car one more time

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Jeff Gordon and the iconic No. 24 go way back, as he spent his entire full-time career with the car, winning 93 races—more than any driver in NASCAR’s modern era—and securing four championships before retiring in 2015. Recently, fans were thrilled to see the Rainbow Warrior back on track, as Gordon took the No. 24 for a test drive on a new circuit. This marked his first time behind the wheel since competing in the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup in 2022. Despite the two-year break, the 53-year-old looked as sharp as ever, effortlessly handling the track and showing no signs of rust.

The exquisite circuit includes a 13-turn, 1.1-mile short course, a 19-turn, seven-turn 0.567-mile inner loop, and a 1.7-mile full circuit. Additionally, the Ten-Tenths Motor Club contains a members’ garage complete with secure, climate-controlled storage, a cigar lounge, a bourbon bar, and a putting course as part of a massive 20,000-square-foot special event facility. Such facilities are a dream for any driver, and that was the aim of this Motor Club, as per Rick Hendrick. “I think the major impact of having this here will be people flying in from all over the country.

Ten Tenths Motor Club recently posted a video on Instagram showing the colorful number 24 whizzing around the circuit with the caption, “4-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and @teamhendrick’s @jeffgordonweb warms up the circuit in the @nascarg56 car.” Gordon always wished to take his Garage 56 in a Le Mans race while he was active. Therefore, racing on this track designed by the Le Mans champion would have been a dream come true for the Rainbow Warrior.

 

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Could Jeff Gordon's return to the track signal a legendary comeback in the #24 car?

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Seeing Jeff Gordon on the track has fans wanting a comeback

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Fans showered compliments on the Instagram post by Ten-Tenths Motor Club, and seeing Jeff Gordon back on the circuit made them eager to see him race in his iconic #24 once again. “I love this! Maybe he can enter a Cup race next year! He now knows how to drive the Next Gen car!!! Let’s go!” said one fan.

Jeff Gordon has professionally not driven a Next-Gen car as he retired professionally in 2016. Gordon was an outstanding driver in the pre ‘Next-Gen’ car era. The futuristic Next-Gen cars were introduced in 2022, and Gordon gave his thoughts on Next-Gen cars on the Dale Jr. Download with Dale Earnhardt Jr., saying, “I think the car is big and competitive; it’s put on a good race,” he commented. “There’s pretty good balance between manufacturers; I think the drivers will get more comfortable with pushing it… and from a cost standpoint, I think we are starting to see some benefits there, and so that’s good.” Although to date it was just thoughts, now fans have approved of the legend being comfortable and all set for the run.

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Along with Jeff Gordon, some fans also wanted to see his greatest rival and dear friend race alongside him once more. “Bro we need a part time hendrick entry. Jimmie and Jeff part time reunion would be peak”, said an enthusiastic fan. Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson lit up the NASCAR world with their legendary rivalry and collected 11 championships between them. The duo raced together for 13 years, making HMS the most successful team in NASCAR history.

Is there any track on earth that this car has not been on?” asked one fan. The #24 car has seen tremendous success, with Jeff Gordon cementing his legacy with 22 years on the car. Some of his astonishing accomplishments include having 5+ wins at 11 different tracks! With 9 wins at Martinsville being his highest at a single track.

Since his retirement, Chase Elliot and William Byron have used the No. 24 and seen mixed results. Quite disappointingly, Chase Elliot didn’t manage a single win in the #24 in 2016 and 2017. On the other hand, William Byron won 11 races in the last three years in the No. 24 Chevrolet, with two wins apiece at Martinsville, Daytona, and Atlanta.

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“Bro’s still got it,”  said another fan in awe of Jeff Gordon’s driving. You can take the man out of the car but not the car out of the man; Jeff Gordon’s ability to excite and thrill fans, even at this age, is what makes him such a treat to watch. Even two years after retirement, he won the Rolex 24, which is why fans believe he has truly still got it.

Take it to the rolex24!” said one fan, reminiscing about Gordon’s 2017 race at the 24 hours of Daytona. The Rainbow Warrior was the fourth driver to win the Daytona 500 and Rolex 24.