Jeff Gordon's First, Second, and Third On and Off the Track

In a typically eventful Atlanta race complete with a few tire issues, many cars several laps down, and a barn burning finish, Jeff Gordon managed to hold his own. His Hendrick team and crew had indeed given him a very strong National Guard Youth Challenge No. 24 car for the race battle.

When all was said and done at the Kobalt Tools 500 and the checkered flag flew for that other Busch brother Kurt, Gordon managed to come out first in the most important race.  He remained first in the championship points race, 43 points ahead of second place Clint Bowyer.

Gordon raced hard all day and looked like he might give Kurt Busch a run for his money during the green, white, checkered finish. But it was not meant to be and Gordon finished second, for the second time this season.

This race finish also marked Gordon's phenomenal third top-10 finish in this young NASCAR race season.

While Gordon was pleased with all of the firsts, seconds, and thirds, he said, "The team has the fire in their eyes and everyone who works on this car, from the shop to the track, is focused on race wins."

"We're going to win races," Gordon continued, "We're close and we'll just keep knocking on the door until we get back into victory lane."

While Gordon remains fiercely focused on that first win yet to come, he is also achieving some other special firsts off the track.

In the upcoming weeks, Gordon is scheduled to receive the Boy Scouts of America's highest service honor. He is receiving the Silver Buffalo Award for his work in the Boy Scouts' national recruiting program, as well as his foundation and philanthropic work helping children through the Jeff Gordon Foundation.

Gordon's commendation will be presented to him on March 24 at the Boy Scout Leadership Conference in Charlotte. His boss and car owner, CEO of Hendrick Motorsports Rick Hendrick, will be the featured speaker at the event.

For a NASCAR stock car driver, even a past champion, Gordon is in amazing company in receiving this prestigious award. Others who have been honored with the Silver Buffalo award include Walt Disney, Charles Lindbergh, Hank Aaron, General Colin Powell, and 13 of the Presidents of the United States.

Yet Gordon is not quite done yet with celebrating as he has achieved yet another first off the track. This new first is his feature in the April 2009 issue of the magazine "Bon Appetit." 

The magazine focuses on Gordon's collection of Napa Valley wines, including his Carneros Chardonnay, Napa Valley Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and his newest Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir wine.

Although Gordon's wine is limited to 250 cases, they are already being featured in some of the finest restaurants in the country, including Thomas Keller's Per Se and The French Laundry. Gordon got interested in wine after his Cup Championship in 1995 on a celebratory trip to London.

Since first delving into the world of the grapes off the track, Gordon has been dividing his time between his home in Charlotte and Napa Valley. When he is not racing, he continues to work on perfecting his preferred buttery and oaky taste for his wines.

Whether off the track with his wines and humanitarian honors or back on the track in this newly minted NASCAR season, four-time Cup Champion Jeff Gordon continues to rack up his series of firsts, seconds, and thirds.

But there is no doubt that Gordon will no longer satisfied with merely seconds or thirds.  He is now desperate for and totally determined to get that elusive first that opportunity to take the checkered flag for the first time in over a year.

And not even the sweetest of the Jeff Gordon Collection of wines will stand up to the celebration that will take place when Gordon gets to greet wife Ingrid and daughter Ella Sofia in Victory Lane, each holding up one finger for their very first points race win in a very long time.