When a rookie ushers into the world of NASCAR, or any sport for that matter, it’s highly unlikely that they don’t idolize anyone in the sport. For a basketball rookie, it’s perhaps Michael Jordan. For a boxer, it could be Muhammad Ali, and for a NASCAR athlete, it’s often the 5-time Brickyard 400 winner Jeff Gordon. Owing to his numerous contributions to the world of stock car racing, Gordon’s name is as indelible as ever in the Hall of Fame.

When one of the biggest stalwarts in the arena of NASCAR admits someone else’s superiority at the game, happiness knows no bounds for that someone. And when the stalwart is the 4-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, the sense of achievement just goes up tenfold. After Kyle Larson‘s dominant victory at Sunday’s South Point 400, the Hendrick Motorsports vice chairman did not fumble as he spilled water on an ensuing controversy.

Jeff Gordon reveals his inferiority to his own driver

Today, Hendrick Motorsports is the winningest team in NASCAR. With 301 Cup Series victories, the team is indeed at the top of the game. Although two of its star drivers failed to make it into the playoffs this year, the team doesn’t lag behind as William Byron and Kyle Larson remained strong contenders for this year’s Championship trophy as the playoff rumble continued.

To Rick Hendrick’s delight, Kyle Larson booked the first seat into the round of 12 by winning at Darlington Raceway. And now, Larson has made his way into the most sought-after race of the season; the Championship 4 race. With that, it doesn’t matter how he performs at Homestead and at Martinsville. The #5 Chevy star just needs to survive till the final Cup fury rolls out on Phoenix Raceway.

Jeff Gordon was immensely pleased with Kyle Larson. And this was evident from his post race comments.

During the press conference, a reporter asked him, “How good is Kyle Larson? And is he a better driver than you?” This led Jeff to let out a big “YES!” as he continued, “I am glad I didn’t have to race him.”

Remembering his old teammate, or should we say a legend, Jimmie Johnson said, “I got my b*tt kicked by one guy at Hendrick Motorsports as my teammate… I didn’t need to have two of them.”

Coming back to the reporter’s question, Gordon answered, “You take a guy like Kyle and his capabilities and his talent…and he has impressed me with his work ethic too. I wasn’t sure how he approached the Cup series and especially with Cliff [Daniels] and all the data and all the homework that Cliff gives them and the meetings that they have.”

“He (Larson) has stepped up to the plate, and he’s done everything the organization could possibly ask out of him and then some,” he added.

However, some might wonder, how come Jeff Gordon got his “b*tt kicked” by a teammate? But is it true that when winning is all you need, even teammates think twice before going easy on each other?

Watch This Story: NASCAR Fans Accuse Rick Hendrick of Paying Off NASCAR Officials After His Driver Avoids Penalty

Throwback to 16 years ago, when Jeff Gordon got his “b*tt kicked”

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7-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson didn’t pull any punches while holding off Jeff Gordon and Ryan Newman during the 2007 Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway. However, interestingly, Johnson got an unexpected help from Newman.

Barely 9 laps to go till the checkered flag, Newman challenged Gordon for second place. As Newman got more aggressive in the attempt to hold off Gordon, who was equally fast, Johnson saw his narrow window of opportunity and dashed forth with a lead that lasted for merely 2 seconds.

Jimmie Johnson had to capitalize on a two-lap long overtime run, with Newman tailing him, followed by Gordon. According to The New York Times, “This thing’s not over yet,” said Johnson, the defending series champion.

Giving a shout-out to his teammate, Gordon exclaimed, “Jimmy was strong, we were strong, and he got the best of us.”

We could very well see this scenario replay if William Byron makes his way into Championship 4, and Kyle Larson and Byron have to battle each other for the 2023 Championship. Wouldn’t it be a thrilling spectacle to witness?

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