If you are a fan of NASCAR, you might have wondered if Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon are related. After all, they share the same last name and both have competed in the top level of stock car racing. However, the answer is no, they are not brothers or cousins or even distant relatives. They are just two drivers who happen to have the same surname.
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Who is Robby Gordon?
Robby Gordon is an American former auto racing driver who has raced in various series, including NASCAR, CART, IndyCar, Trans-Am, IMSA, IROC and the Dakar Rally. He is the son of off-road racer “Baja Bob” Gordon and has won several championships and races in off-road racing. He is also the founder and owner of the Stadium Super Trucks series, which features high-powered trucks racing on dirt and asphalt tracks with jumps and ramps.
Robby Gordon made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1991 and raced full-time from 1997 to 2009. He drove for several teams, including Felix Sabates, Richard Childress Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Ultra Motorsports and his own team, Robby Gordon Motorsports. He won three races in his Cup Series career: the 2001 New Hampshire 300, the 2003 Sirius at the Glen and the 2004 Dodge/Save Mart 350. He also won one race in the Xfinity Series: the 2004 Emerson Radio 250.
Who is Jeff Gordon?
Jeff Gordon is an American stock car racing executive and former professional driver who currently serves as the vice chairman for Hendrick Motorsports. He raced full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1993 to 2015, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. He is regarded as one of the best and most influential drivers in NASCAR history, helping the sport reach mainstream popularity.
Jeff Gordon won four Cup Series championships (1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001) and 93 races, which ranks third on the all-time wins list. He also won three Daytona 500s (1997, 1999 and 2005), five Brickyard 400s (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2014) and six Southern 500s (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2007). He also won five races in the Xfinity Series. He was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2019.
Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon have different backgrounds and family histories. Robby Gordon was born in Los Angeles, California on January 2, 1969. His father was Huntley Gordon Jr., a Canadian-born actor who appeared in silent films under the name Huntley Gordon. His mother was Marlene Robyn Gordon (née Patterson), a former model and actress. His great-grandfather was Huntley Gordon Sr., a Scottish-born actor who also appeared in silent films.
Jeff Gordon was born in Vallejo, California on August 4, 1971. His parents were William Grinnell Gordon II, a Vietnam War veteran who worked as a crew chief for an off-road racing team, and Carol Ann Bickford (née Houston), a former model. His biological father left when he was six months old and he was raised by his stepfather John Bickford, who legally adopted him when he was four years old.
Have they ever raced against each other?
Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon have raced against each other many times in their NASCAR careers. They have also had some on-track incidents and controversies. One of the most notable ones occurred in the 2001 New Hampshire 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Robby Gordon took advantage of a late caution to pass his teammate Kevin Harvick for the lead under yellow flag conditions. He then held off Jeff Gordon for his first Cup Series win. Jeff Gordon was unhappy with Robby Gordon’s move and confronted him after the race.
Another incident happened in the 2003 Dodge/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway. Robby Gordon spun out Jeff Gordon while battling for second place on lap 74. Jeff Gordon recovered to finish fourth while Robby Gordon went on to win his second Cup Series race. Jeff Gordon later said that he felt Robby Gordon owed him an apology.
The two Gordons also had some friendly moments on track. In the only Thanksgiving race in NASCAR history, the 1996 Suzuka Thunder Special at Suzuka Circuit in Japan, Robby Gordon won after contact with Jeff Gordon resulted in a black flag for the champion. Robby Gordon then gave Jeff Gordon a ride to Victory Lane on his car’s hood.
Conclusion
Robby Gordon and Jeff Gordon are not related, but they are both accomplished NASCAR drivers who have raced against each other for many years. They have different backgrounds, family histories and racing styles, but they share the same passion for the sport. They have also had some memorable moments on and off the track, both good and bad. They are both part of NASCAR’s history and legacy.
