Best of Bake: Richard Petty presents Jeff Gordon with retirement gift ahead of final race
(Note: As 2015 comes to an end, we're looking back at some of the top Shake and Bake stories of the year. The following was originally published on Nov. 21.)
When Jeff Gordon made his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1992, it was the final race for NASCAR's "King" Richard Petty.
As that day kicked off, Petty presented each of his competitors with a commemorative money clip during the driver-crew chief meeting. Gordon remembers that day fondly, and often talks about how special that money clip is to him.
With Gordon now preparing to make the final start of his NASCAR career, Petty presented the four-time champion with two special retirement gifts of his own.
Away from the hordes of fans and media attention surrounding Gordon this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Petty gave the Hendrick Motorsports driver one of his iconic Charlie 1 Horse cowboy hats, with his signature autograph on the brim. Petty also presented Gordon with 93 one dollar bills for the money clip he gave him 23 years ago, one for each of his Sprint Cup victories.
"The King" kept another dollar with him, just in case Gordon was able to score the victory in his final start at Homestead.
Richard Petty was HONORED to THANK @JeffGordonWeb for his contributions to the sport. #24Ever pic.twitter.com/YPaNgZMoBw
— RPMotorsports (@RPMotorsports) November 21, 2015
The King also gave Gordon $93 for each win. Petty gave Gordon a money clip when he retired. Jeff still has it. pic.twitter.com/TCq0ULB0IZ
— RPMotorsports (@RPMotorsports) November 21, 2015
