Not even failed inspection can bring down Gordon

Cup champ says birth of daughter best day of his life

By David Caraviello, NASCAR.COM
June 22, 2007
09:04 PM EDT

SONOMA, Calif. -- Jeff Gordon didn't want to leave.

NASCAR's newest father sat in a New York hospital room, cradling his newborn daughter in his arms. It wasn't easy to put her down and leave for Infineon Raceway, site of this weekend's Nextel Cup event.

"I was holding her and she was sleeping in my arms right before I left the hospital," he said Friday. "I did not want to leave. That's why I'm excited about being here, because I want to get out there and get this race over as fast as I can. I want to get it done faster than anyone else and get back to my little girl and Ingrid."


Gordon, Johnson fail initial inspection
Jeff Gordon had to answer questions about his No. 24 Chevy after his and Jimmie Johnson's cars were parked due to failing initial inspection for the COT race at Sonoma.

Complete story, click here
Gordon and his wife, Belgian model Ingrid Vandebosch, celebrated the birth of daughter Ella Sofia on Wednesday. The baby was breach -- turned backward in the mother's womb -- so Vandebosch underwent a Caesarean section. That morning on the way to the hospital, her water broke.

"It is absolutely incredible," Gordon said. "I expected it to change my life, but I never had any clue of how it was going to, but it has. It's just things are different now, in a great way, though. It was just probably the best day of my life."

The timing of the procedure allowed Gordon plenty of time to get to Sonoma for Sunday's race. Not even the news that his No. 24 car had failed inspection -- because of a modification to the front fender, it was parked for opening practice and qualifying -- could dampen his mood (NASCAR Today). Every time he flipped open his cell phone, he saw a photo of his baby's face.

"Every time I open my phone, it puts a smile on my face," he said. "With everything that's happening here today, as devastating as it is for me, there's nothing that's going to bring me down today. More important things in life are at the top of my list."

Like diapers, which Gordon is already willingly changing on a daughter that shows signs of having her daddy's dark hair. One of the first things he did after waking up Friday morning was call Ingrid and Ella. Hendrick Motorsports teammate Casey Mears could sense Gordon's giddiness on the helicopter ride to the racetrack.

"He's just so excited about it," Mears said. "It's just great seeing him so excited. He was so happy this morning coming in. On the helicopter coming in, we were just talking about the whole experience. I just couldn't be happier for him and Ingrid. Obviously, they're going to have a lot of fun."

Mears doesn't believe fatherhood will dull his teammate's competitive instincts.

"People have different drives and different reasons for the success they've had over the years," he said. "This may change obviously the way he thinks, but I don't think in the least bit it's going to sacrifice his talents or the way he focuses on racing. He might have some new inspirations for doing well. He's always been successful and hugely talented, and he has a new chapter in his life now he's enjoying."

Mother and baby are scheduled to come home from the hospital Saturday. Gordon can't wait to get back to New York and join them.

"You go through so many different emotions," he said. "You're excited, you're scared, and then once she's there and you hear her cry and take that first breath, you're just overwhelmed with emotion. It was just an incredible feeling."