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Segunda-feira, 29 de setembro de 2008
 Jeff Gordon joins Felipe Massa’s kart race in Brazil
NASCAR ace challenges Michael Schumacher and many other top-class drivers
SÃO PAULO – Four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will make his first
appearance in the International Challenge of Go-Kart Champs late this year in
Brazil. The California-born driver, currently lying sixth in the NASCAR Sprint
Cup Series, has accepted the invitation from Ferrari’s ace Felipe Massa to take
part in the race scheduled for November 30th at the Ingleses Kart Track, in
Florianópolis.
Gordon will meet a selection of world class mates from America, such as Indy
Racing League star Tony Kanaan, and several Formula 1 representatives, led by
Felipe Massa and his Ferrari partner special guest Michael Schumacher. By the
way, the seven-time Formula 1 champion won the 2007 edition of the event and is
already committed to defend his crown.
“It is a great pleasure to host Jeff in Brazil”, said Felipe Massa
 in Singapore,
a new venue at the Formula 1 calendar that will feature the first ever night
race of the series. “I rate him as the best American driver. We met at the
Champions Race in Paris some years ago and since then I’ve been dreaming about
bringing him to the party”, Felipe added. “Like Michael Schumacher, I bet he
will love the race, the city, the friendly atmosphere and will come back in the
next years.”
“I really respect and admire Felipe as a race car driver, and this is such a
great opportunity to race against some of the best drivers in the world while
benefiting a worthwhile charity,” said Gordon, who drives the No. 24 DuPont
Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “I don’t drive karts that often –
although we do have a Jeff Gordon Foundation go-kart event each year – and I
think the last time I drove one competitively was when I was 11 or 12 years old.
I don’t know what to expect, but I’m sure it will be a fun experience”, said
Gordon, fourth-placed at Kansas’ round on Sunday.
Thirty-seven year old, married and father to a daughter, Jeff Gordon’s career
highlights includes:
81 NASCAR Cup victories
Sixth on all-time wins list
66 career poles
Fourth on all-time award pole’s list
Three-time Daytona 500 winner (1997, 1999, 2005)
Four-time Brickyard 400 winner (1994, 1998, 2001, 2004)
Five-time Southern 500 winner (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002)
Holds a record nine road course victories
Márcio Fonseca
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