“Jeff Gordon is the Keith Richards of motorsports.” – Kyle Petty
“I remember when Ricky Rudd set this number and I just couldn’t believe that was even possible. This is hard for me to fathom.” – NASCAR’s new Iron Man Jeff Gordon to Marty Snider before the race
“I knew it wasn’t going to be the warmest welcome, and I knew that could possibly happen. But I wanted to handle the situation right.” – Jimmy Johnson to Kelli Stavast on his off track confrontation with Kevin Harvick
Loudon, N.H. — September 27, 2015 — NBCSN presents the second NASCAR Sprint Cup Playoff race from the “Magic Mile” at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. With only two races left until the 16-driver field is cut to 12, the remaining Chase drivers will fight their way to the front to claim their spot in the next playoff round. NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon made history today at Loudon with his 789th consecutive Sprint Cup start to become NASCAR’s new reigning “Iron Man.”
NBCSN’s pre-race NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing coverage began with NASCAR America Sunday presented by DraftKings, followed by Countdown to Green, Served by Sonic. Krista Voda hosted the pre-race action alongside NASCAR on NBCSN analyst Kyle Petty and NASCAR driver and analyst Brian Vickers. Kelli Stavast, Dave Burns, Mike Massaro and Marty Snider reported from pit road. Inside the NBCSN broadcast booth, race announcer Rick Allen, 21-time Sprint Cup winning driver Jeff Burton, and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte offered their perspectives.
The following are highlights from this afternoon’s NASCAR Sprint Cup pre-race coverage on NBCSN.
Brian Vickers on Jeff Gordon’s legacy: “I spent a lot of time with Jeff. He was my teammate for a long time. I have seen him drive. I know the way he thinks. He coached me through the beginning of my career. He is a thinking driver. He thinks about all those moments much more than you realize, which is why he won four Championships. I was doing a little math and I think the only thing that has lasted longer than Jeff Gordon in this garage is Kyle Petty’s ponytail.”
NASCAR’s new Iron Man Jeff Gordon to Snider before the race: “When I look back throughout my career, it is something that I didn’t anticipate. I thought I was going to step away from driving several years ago, and not get to this number. I remember when Ricky Rudd set this number and I just couldn’t believe that was even possible. This is hard for me to fathom.”
Voda on Gordon’s 789 consecutive starts: “This is history. The fans who are watching today – you are going to see history be made.”
Vickers on Gordon: “I think you can see it in Jeff’s face during his interview. It is very rare that Jeff Gordon is surprised by one of his own accomplishments. He is genuinely surprised that he made it to this mark.”
Petty’s take on Gordon: “Jeff Gordon is the Keith Richards of motorsports.”
Burton from behind the wheel of NBC Sports’ Toyota Camry On Track Car: “This race track is very difficult, and one of the reasons why is because it has multiple groove banking. The lane that I’m in has more banking than the lane below me. So you want to try and use all the banking to your advantage for grip.”
Jimmy Johnson to Stavast on his off track confrontation with Kevin Harvick: “I knew it wasn’t going to be the warmest welcome, and I knew that could possibly happen. But I wanted to handle the handle the situation right. Unfortunately we haven’t had a chance to talk this week, but we are going to go racing.”
Harvick to Snider on his team’s persistence before the race: “I think we just keep our head down and keep grinding away at the task at hand. I think everybody knows that we have to go out and perform on a weekly basis, and what you did last week has no bearing on what you did this week.”
Burton on playoff strategy in New Hampshire: “Don’t do something wrong where you have to go to Dover and win.”
Last weekend’s race winner Denny Hamlin to Burton during pace lap: “It really doesn’t (change my strategy) for the most part. I still want to win this week. We have some learning to do for Phoenix.”
– NBC SPORTS GROUP –
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