Gordon Honored For Charitable Efforts

Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon has been named the 2011 NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year. Gordon is the first three-time recipient of the award, but this marks the first time he is the sole recipient. Gordon and Darrell Waltrip were named co-persons of the year in 1997. Gordon also shared the title when Hendrick Motorsports was named Persons of the Year in 2004.

Other past recipients include Joe Gibbs, Mark Martin, Kyle Petty and Tony Stewart for their influence on the NASCAR community, as well as admirable charitable efforts.

“We are thrilled to name Jeff Gordon the 2011 NASCAR Illustrated Person of the Year,” said Jay Pfeifer, Editor of NASCAR Illustrated. “In addition to scoring his 85th win, third-most in NASCAR history, he took his philanthropy to a new level. By expanding his fight against pediatric cancer to Africa, Gordon showed that compassion can extend across borders and around the world. We salute Jeff for his incredible achievements.”

Gordon has made three trips to Victory Lane during the 2011 season, and devoted the third and final off-week of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season to a trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of the Clinton Global Initiative; a program created by former President Bill Clinton to improve the lives of 43 million internally displaced persons and refugees around the world.

In May, the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation announced its new initiative to bring accessible cancer treatment to children of Rwanda, committing to raising $1.5 million over the course of three years.

Gordon has also been instrumental in feeding millions of America’s elderly through AARP's Drive to End Hunger program, which adorned the hood of his No. 24 Chevrolet for the first time this year. Over $12 million in donations and more than 3.7 million meals have been provided to senior citizens struggling with hunger issues in America through the Drive to End Hunger program.

“It’s very rewarding to be named the 2011 Person of the Year, and I am so thankful for all the opportunities I have been given,” said Gordon. “The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation has been able to accomplish a lot since its inception in 1999 in the battle against pediatric cancer, but that battle continues nationally and globally. It’s been an eye-opening experience learning about the more than nine million older Americans with hunger issues. We’ve been able to make an impact this year with the help of the NASCAR community and fans, but that battle continues.”