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Jeff Gordon is leaving broadcasting for a full-time executive role at Hendrick Motorsports, the company announced Wednesday.
Gordon, who has been part of Fox Sports' NASCAR telecasts since his retirement as a driver after the 2015 season, will continue in the booth for the remainder of 2021. Afterward, he will serve as vice chairman and rank behind only owner Rick Hendrick in the Hendrick Motorsports hierarchy.
"Jeff and I have talked about this for many years, and I feel it's a natural evolution for him and our company," Hendrick said in a statement. "He understands our culture, our values and the importance we place on our people and our partnerships. I couldn't be more energized about working arm-in-arm with him and cementing the future of Hendrick Motorsports together."
Gordon spent his entire NASCAR Hall of Fame driving career with HMS from 1992 to 2015 and came out of retirement briefly in 2016 to drive in place of an injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. The 49-year-old won four Cup Series championships and 93 races overall, including three Daytona 500s.
His 93 Cup Series wins are the third-most in NASCAR history, behind only Richard Petty and David Pearson. Gordon has been a partner at Hendrick Motorsports since 1999 and has remained part of behind-the-scenes decisions even during his media career.
"I cannot put into words what Hendrick Motorsports means to me," the California native said. "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."
Hendrick has brought home 13 Cup championships, including the 2020 title won by Chase Elliott. Last month it became the winningest NASCAR Cup Series team after Kyle Larson's victory at the Coca-Cola 600 was the North Carolina-based team's 269th all-time.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that it has signed driver Kyle Larson to a multi-year contract.
NASCAR suspended Larson indefinitely for using a racial slur during an April 12 iRacing event. Chip Ganassi Racing soon severed ties with Larson, who has not raced on the NASCAR Cup Series since March 8.
The 28-year-old completed mandatory sensitivity training as part of his condition for reinstatement, per Dustin Long of NBC Sports. He applied for reinstatement in mid-October, and NASCAR approved his application on Oct. 19.
Larson is eligible to return to NASCAR racing activities on Jan. 1, 2021. The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series season begins on Feb. 14 with the Daytona 500.
He must complete numerous conditions to keep his reinstatement intact, per NASCAR.com.
"Those terms for reinstatement include several speaking engagements, each spaced out through 2023, where Larson will share his experiences with NASCAR’s weekly series, e-sports and dirt-racing communities. He will also be required to take further training and engagement classes through 2023, plus continue his work with the Urban Youth Racing School (UYRS) and Rev Racing, providing coaching and mentorship for those initiatives."
Larson finished in the top nine in the NASCAR Cup Series standings from 2016-19, with a high of sixth in 2019.
He'll drive the No. 5 Chevrolet for a Hendrick Motorsports team that will also feature Alex Bowman, William Byron and Chase Elliott racing full time in 2021.
