Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon share final lap at the Brickyard
It was a moment that will be remembered fondly for a very long time.
Just after the checkered flag flew at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Sunday afternoon, Tony Stewart and Jeff Gordon, NASCAR's two lions of winter, took a final lap around the fabled 2.5-mile track side-by-side.
It was a show of thanks to the fans who adore the Indiana native Stewart and the former Indiana resident Gordon, two drivers who have combined to win the Brickyard 400 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship seven times each.
This, of course, is Stewart's final season before retirement and Gordon came out of retirement to drive this week and next week in the place of his injured Hendrick Motorsports teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.
On this fiercely hot Indiana afternoon, Kyle Busch drubbed the field easily, although the real drama was what in all likelihood is the final Brickyard for both Stewart, who finished 11th, and Gordon, who ended up two spots back.
But this wasn't about where either man finished.
It was about something a lot bigger: The reverence they share for the world's most famous race track and the respect they have for each other.
"I knew when we got the checkered (flag) you didn't want to come in just yet," said Stewart, who still lives in Indiana. "I wanted to run one more lap and Jeff was around us.
"Before that last green run, I told my spotter to go get his spotter and said, 'After this thing is over, we need to go a lap around here together,' because it most likely is the last time we'll both get a chance to do that. So, I couldn't think of a better guy to share that moment with than Jeff."
It was a class move and a great salute to all involved. And in the end, it is a moment that will transcend simply another NASCAR race. This was bigger than that and a fitting end to Stewart and Gordon racing at the Brickyard.
2 of the best! Great moment pic.twitter.com/2XQSHH95QQ
— Ingrid Vandebosch (@ivandebosch) July 24, 2016
