At 7 and 4 years old respectively, Ella and Leo Gordon may follow their famous dad – four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon – in potentially setting a record of their own in two weeks.
Ella and Leo may be among the youngest grand marshals for a NASCAR race, as they’ll assume that role for the April 19 Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, track officials announced.
Included in Ella’s and Leo’s duties is to issue the command for drivers to start engines for that afternoon’s race.
“Over the years, Jeff Gordon has been a true friend to Food City and our region,” Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO, said in a BMS media release. “He has been a loyal supporter of Food City Family Race Night and raised countless dollars in support of our local food banks through his partnership with AARP’s Drive to End Hunger.
“In appreciation for his many contributions to our company and our region; and to commemorate his final season competing for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship, we couldn’t think of more befitting Grand Marshals for our Food City 500 than Jeff’s children.”
Gordon, who is in his final full Cup season , is a four-time winner of the Food City 500 at Bristol.
This weekend will also be unique for the Gordon children. The Gordon family will tour the Washington, D.C. area, and participate in the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House.
“We were invited to go to the White House and do the Easter Egg Roll that they do,” Gordon said. “We’re going to go up there and do some touring of D.C., which is something I’ve never done. We’ll take the kids, go the Smithsonian, go around the city and enjoy D.C., like we never have before. Especially Ella, she’s getting to the age where she’s really interested in these things. Of course Leo is very interested in the Air and Space museum, and the National History museum. So hopefully we have a chance to see all those things.”
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