MARTINSVILLE, Virginia – Closing in on the checkered flag of his historic NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career, Jeff Gordon recently left a fan in memories that will last more than his 24 years at the sport’s top level.
Earlier this week, Gordon surprised a life-long fan Loraine Treadwell with the keys to his personal 2003 Chevrolet “Jeff Gordon edition” Monte Carlo SS after hers was totaled in a recent fire.
“You know, I met her in June and immediately when I met her she shared her story with me,” said Gordon. “My heart went out to her and I could tell what a huge fan she was. Anybody that has that car, anyone that has the 24 Monte Carlo from 2003, you know they are a big fan.”
The Hendrick Motorsports driver first met Treadwell earlier this year through the Jeff Gordon VIP Experience at Sonoma (Calif.) Speedway where she explained her story to Gordon.
Fast forward months later, a recent conversation with his stepfather about a collection of cars in his warehouse led Gordon to the great idea.
“I felt for her and it just so happened that my stepfather and I were talking about one of our own cars that we had and had collected for many years. We had it in the warehouse and we were talking about what our plans were for that car. I said, ‘I have an idea’, if we can track down this lady that I met, I think that she deserves it and I wanted to give it to her. And as you saw, that is what we ended up doing.”
Exactly how many miles did Gordon’s vehicle have?
124.
But the five-time Sprint Cup Series champion says there was more to it than just giving a car away.
“Of course it felt good, but more important was to see the smile on her face and to see the reaction,” Gordon said. “When you see one of your biggest fans get the opportunity and an experience that they will never forget…..that is pretty much what life is all about in my opinion.”
Even with his extreme generously, the 43-year-old driver joked with Treadwell about one request.
“Just don’t let this one burn down. Nobody deserves this car more than you.”
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