Jeff Gordon Leaving Fox Sports Job to Be Hendrick Motorsports Vice Chairman

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.