Gordon & Johnson Embark on Future as Fan Favorites?

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It’s probably fair to say that before the 2008 NASCAR season started, the dynamic duo over at Hendrick Motorsports, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson, would have finished in the top-five “Most Hated Drivers” poll by NASCAR fans. For years, Jeff Gordon’s dominant on-track nature has had him marked as the “Alpha Male” in the sport, but it has also marked a huge target on his back in the eyes of the fans. And, ever since Johnson has entered the Cup Series ranks and adopted Gordon’s winning behavior, the typical fan has seemingly put Jimmie into that same anti-Gordon category. Sure, they have both always had more than their share of fans throughout the country, but unlike most other drivers, it’s always been that if you’re not a fan, then you’re actually rooting against them each and every week. It’s never been a case of, “Oh, well I wouldn’t mind seeing him win” … at least until now.

Maybe it’s the fact that in 2008, Dale Earnhardt Jr. joined the ranks of NASCAR’s most dominating organization. Or, maybe it’s that Kyle Busch has taken the heat off these guys. Whatever it is, the crowd’s cheers were louder than their jeers for the first time in years as Jeff Gordon was introduced for the All-Star Challenge, and nothing was thrown on the track after Jimmie Johnson won the Subway Fresh Fit 500. It’s allowed us to stop looking at the two of them as these evil figures in NASCAR and instead focus on some of the many good things that they do not only for our sport, but for their loyal fans out there as well as some of the less fortunate.

For instance, as WSOCTV.com pointed out just the other day, in the midst of a new marriage, raising their newborn, and competing to win his fifth Cup Series championship, Jeff Gordon still takes the time out of his schedule to meet with members of his fan club throughout the year, the largest of which showings takes place at Hendrick Headquarters in Charlotte during the May Speedweek. Earlier this month, Jimmie Johnson petitioned his fans to support the Jimmie Johnson Foundation by donating money for the May 16th NASCAR Telethon in an effort to get an extra $24k for the Foundation, which of course would help support their mission of assisting needy children and families.

Let’s also not forget what the duo did this past April at Phoenix International Raceway when Gordon continued his thirteen-year relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as he visited a young child from New York in the hospital. That same weekend, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation sponsored the Camping World West Series race to once again support that continued effort.

The most recent of these ongoing ventures occured earlier this week after Bank of America signed new licensing agreements with Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Casey Mears to expand their “My Expression NASCAR Banking Program,” which Gordon already participates in. To celebrate, Hendrick Motorsports and Bank of America teamed up to surprise BOA banking customer, Rhonda Beck of Cornelus, NC, with not only the opportunity to not only tour the HMS race shop, but also the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with 2-time Cup Series Champion, Jimmie Johnson. Johnson spent several hours talking with Rhonda as the two toured through the shop, and took the time to explain to her about the car set-ups and how they are processed to be made “race-ready”.

“One of the great things about our sport is that we get to interact so closely with fans, but rarely do we get a chance to be part of a fun, well-kept secret. It was cool to see the look on her face. I could tell that Bank of America really helped to make this experience special for their NASCAR banking customer,” Johnson said.

The over-exhilarated Rhonda Beck stated, “This has truly been a once in a lifetime experience for me. It’s all so wonderful, and I’ll remember it forever. I saw some pretty neat stuff today.”

For more information on this great banking program, please visit Bank of America’s NASCAR Banking website at My Expression NASCAR Banking Program.