Clean-cut and polished in front of a camera, Gordon helped transform NASCAR auto racing from a regional spectacle into a mainstream sport.

His corporate image rubbed some of racing's old guard the wrong way, but even the critics had to acknowledge his immense skills.

Gordon became the youngest driver to triumph at the Daytona 500 in 1997 and tied a modern record with 13 victories in one season in 1998, finishing both years as the series champion.

He notched a fourth championship in 2001 with new crew chief Robbie Loomis in tow, culminating an amazing stretch that produced 56 victories in seven years.

Hendrick Motorsports chassis number 24-224 is a 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that was raced by Jeff Gordon during the 2002 through 2004 Cup seasons.

Built specifically as a superspeedway car, Gordon competed at Daytona International Speedway three years in a row in the season-opening Bud Shootout race.

He finished in the top five in all three races with a best of second place in 2003.
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