Jeff Gordon altered NASCAR landscape on way to Hall of Fame
FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2011, file photo, Jeff Gordon celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2011, file photo, Jeff Gordon celebrates winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

Jan. 31, 2019 12:17 PM EST
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 1997, file photo, driver Jeff Gordon, from Pittsboro, Ind., jumps completely in the air from the roof of his DuPont Chevrolet after winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 1997, file photo, driver Jeff Gordon, from Pittsboro, Ind., jumps completely in the air from the roof of his DuPont Chevrolet after winning the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Jan. 31, 2019 12:17 PM EST
FILE - In this April 25, 2010, file photo, Jeff Gordon climbing into his car as he prepares to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

FILE - In this April 25, 2010, file photo, Jeff Gordon climbing into his car as he prepares to start the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Aaron's 499 auto race at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

Jan. 31, 2019 12:17 PM EST
FILE - In this Nov. 16, 1997, file photo, Jeff Gordon, from Pittsboro, Ind., celebrates his second NASCAR Winston Cup Championship at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Greg Suvino, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 16, 1997, file photo, Jeff Gordon, from Pittsboro, Ind., celebrates his second NASCAR Winston Cup Championship at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Greg Suvino, File)

Jan. 31, 2019 12:17 PM EST
FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2015, file photo, Jeff Gordon celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2015, file photo, Jeff Gordon celebrates in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Va. Gordon headlines the 10th class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame for his storied career on and off the track. He'll be inducted on Friday night, Feb. 1,2019, along with NASCAR team owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Jan. 31, 2019 12:17 PM EST