Speed Trap
HARRISBURG, N.C. (August 25)- - A few years ago, while rushing to catch a flight after an autograph session, Jeff Gordon was pulled over for speeding. He introduced himself to the officer, but Charlotte-Mecklenberg Officer P.J. Wilson, a Dale Earnhardt fan, was not impressed. "He actually said, 'I don't guess you're into racing,'" said Officer Wilson, who now enjoys legendary status among law officials in the South. Gordon wound up with a speeding ticket for going 68 mph in a 55 mph zone. "We're human beings, too," Gordon said. "Sometimes we're running late, and we get in a hurry." Gordon wasn't the first Winston Cup driver to be caught speeding. Among others, Dick Trickle got busted for going 64 mph in a 55 mph zone in 1993; Kyle Petty got caught riding his motorcycle 74 mph in a 55 mph zone in 1996; Ted Musgrave got nailed for going 61 mph in a 45 mph zone in 1997, and Jeremy Mayfield got pulled over for going 68 mph in a 55 mph zone in 1995.

Dreams Come True
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (August 16)- - The weather on Saturday, August 14 at Watkins Glen might have been rainy and dark, but the sun was surely shining on 8-year-old Anthony Reuter. He suffers from osteogenesis imperfecta, or "brittle bone disease," and was able to meet his racing hero Jeff Gordon. Reuter's illness leaves him subject to multiple bone fractures, and he must undergo frequent operations and use a wheelchair. After Gordon signed Anthony's hat, jacket and T-shirt and posed for pictures, the boy whipped out a list of questions he'd devised for the defending Winston Cup champion. Among the queries were the standard questions about how and when Gordon started racing, along with what kind of pets he had, what he drives to the grocery store (a Chevy Blazer), and finally, how many speeding tickets he's gotten. Jeff admitted to receiving a few, but added, "It's been a long time. Now I get all of the speed out of my system at the track." The visit was arranged through The Dream Factory of Central New York Inc., which arranges such events for critically, chronically or terminally ill children.

Capitol City
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 10)- - The cars of Jeff Gordon and Terry Labonte will be on display at the MCI National Sports Gallery located on the grounds of the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The gallery will be opening a NASCAR exhibit on September 4 and will feature the cars of the drivers who have combined to win the last four Winston Cup championships. The gallery features one of the biggest sports memoribilia collections in the world and sports-themed exhibits. In addition, the gallery has several "Attraction Zones" for each sport which give visitors an unparalleled interactivity experience. The National Sports Gallery is located at 601 F Street NW. For more information about the exhibit, call the gallery at (301) 350-3400.

Indiana Boy On An Indiana Night
PITTSBORO, IN. (August 5)- - On Wednesday, August 4, Jeff Gordon made his first public appearance in Pittsboro, Indiana since graduating from Tri-West High School in 1989. In addition to celebrating his 28th birthday that day, Gordon was in Pittsboro to have a road named in his honor. Formerly known as County Road 275 East, the newly renamed Jeff Gordon Boulevard is the main entry to Pittsboro from I-74. In addition, new signs designating Pittsboro as Jeff Gordon's hometown were unveiled. "The fans in Indiana are special for me," Gordon said. "They are so good to me, and I appreciate them very, very much. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to go out to Pittsboro and see a lot of friends I went to school with, a lot of people that supported me in racing, and a lot of fans."

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