When Gordon debuted in the final race of 1992, NASCAR racing was predominantly a regional sport in the Southeast, and a driver from California was a novelty. Now, drivers from the Golden State are the rule, rather than the exception.
In Sunday's Auto Club 400, for example, California natives will outnumber drivers from North Carolina 10 to two. And Gordon, born in Vallejo, will be foremost in the thoughts of Golden State fans at sold-out Auto Club Speedway, as he makes his final full-time start 18 years after winning the inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at the two-mile track.
"I always love coming here," Gordon said on Friday during a question-and-answer session with reporters. "Being in California, even though I feel like we are a long way away from Vallejo, but just the state of California has been amazing for me. This race track has been amazing. We've had great success here over the years. We have tremendous fan support out here. I saw a stat the other day about how many Californians that we have out here
Jeff Gordon practices for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Auto Club Speedway. / Photo: Harry How/NASCAR via Getty Images
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