7 reasons to watch the Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: No. 4 - Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart
Jeff Gordon may be California-born, but Pittsboro, Ind., was his home during most of his early, formative years as a race driver.
There was a reason for that. Indiana didn’t have the age restrictions imposed by California. Gordon didn’t have to wait a couple of years. He could race right away, and more often, which is exactly what he wanted to do.
When NASCAR first came to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994 for the inaugural Brickyard 400, today’s Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, no one wanted Gordon to win more than Gordon - with the possible exception of nearly everyone in Indiana.
In fairy-tale fashion, Gordon did win. Indiana went nuts, especially the citizens of Pittsboro.
They’ve all had plenty to celebrate over the years. Indy has become a Gordon stronghold.
He holds the track record for most victories (4), most pole positions (3), most top-fives (9) and most top-10s (12).
Gordon comes to Indy searching for only his second victory of the season. When it comes to the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, he’s got to be licking his chops.
But wait … Gordon is not Indiana’s only favorite son.
Tony Stewart is from Columbus, Ind., and don’t think for a moment he doesn’t command legions of loyal Hoosiers.
Stewart is no slouch at Indy, where he’s won twice.
Stewart is currently No. 1 in the point standings, with two wins and 15 finishes among the top 10 in 19 races.
Ironically, Gordon is second in points, 175 back.
Going into the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard, that’s certainly an interesting scenario. And Indiana fans have to like what their boys have done – and can’t wait to see what they will do at Indy.
