MEMBERSHIP LOGIN
JOIN PRI
Atomic Speedway To Honor Jeff Gordon
Image
Jeff Gordon cut his teeth racing winged sprint cars before moving to stock cars in one of the most prolific careers in NASCAR Sprint Cup history.
Atomic Speedway is hosting "Jeff Gordon Night" on Saturday, September 17, and Gordon is scheduled to return to the place he won his first sprint car race at age 14.
"This is a great honor for all of us to have Jeff Gordon back at Atomic Speedway," said track owner Brad McCown in a release. "And of course, we will have a great night of racing as well. Who knows? Maybe another young star gets inspired and begins another chapter of racing history."
Gordon began racing sprint cars in 1985 at age 13. With age restrictions in California, his parents moved to Indiana to help further his career.
Gordon raced primarily at tracks in Ohio and the surrounding area and one of his favorite stops became Atomic Speedway, the release said.
Promoters, track owners, and insurance folks thought it was too big of a risk to let 13-year-old Gordon race on their tracks, even with the ability he had displayed in quarter midgets and karts. Gordon's parents appealed to the racing insurance companies and their persistence paid off, however, some tracks still weren't willing to take a risk on the young driver.
Dave and Eleanor Karshner, the owners and promoters of what was then called K-C Raceway took a chance and let Gordon race at the Chillicothe track in 1985. One year later, the track was the site of his first sprint car victory. Gordon went on to win several times at Atomic Speedway, including multiple wins in 1988.
Gordon's success in winged and non-winged sprint cars helped open the door for NASCAR owners to look not only outside of NASCAR, but to the world of open wheel racing.
Saturday will be Gordon's induction into the Atomic Speedway Hall of Fame. The release said he will spend the rest of the night enjoying the racing.
On the race card for "Jeff Gordon Night" will be 410 Sprints, AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, AMRA Sport Mods and an Enduro.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps starting at 6 p.m.
Atomic Speedway is 12 miles south of Chillicothe off Ohio 23, two miles out Blain Highway between Chillicothe and Waverly.
Atomic Speedway is hosting "Jeff Gordon Night" on Saturday, September 17, and Gordon is scheduled to return to the place he won his first sprint car race at age 14.
"This is a great honor for all of us to have Jeff Gordon back at Atomic Speedway," said track owner Brad McCown in a release. "And of course, we will have a great night of racing as well. Who knows? Maybe another young star gets inspired and begins another chapter of racing history."
Gordon began racing sprint cars in 1985 at age 13. With age restrictions in California, his parents moved to Indiana to help further his career.
Gordon raced primarily at tracks in Ohio and the surrounding area and one of his favorite stops became Atomic Speedway, the release said.
Promoters, track owners, and insurance folks thought it was too big of a risk to let 13-year-old Gordon race on their tracks, even with the ability he had displayed in quarter midgets and karts. Gordon's parents appealed to the racing insurance companies and their persistence paid off, however, some tracks still weren't willing to take a risk on the young driver.
Dave and Eleanor Karshner, the owners and promoters of what was then called K-C Raceway took a chance and let Gordon race at the Chillicothe track in 1985. One year later, the track was the site of his first sprint car victory. Gordon went on to win several times at Atomic Speedway, including multiple wins in 1988.
Gordon's success in winged and non-winged sprint cars helped open the door for NASCAR owners to look not only outside of NASCAR, but to the world of open wheel racing.
Saturday will be Gordon's induction into the Atomic Speedway Hall of Fame. The release said he will spend the rest of the night enjoying the racing.
On the race card for "Jeff Gordon Night" will be 410 Sprints, AMRA Late Models, AMRA Modifieds, AMRA Sport Mods and an Enduro.
Gates will open at 4 p.m. with Hot Laps starting at 6 p.m.
Atomic Speedway is 12 miles south of Chillicothe off Ohio 23, two miles out Blain Highway between Chillicothe and Waverly.
