Top 25 Nightmare Moments of Jeff Gordon’s Career
25. 2015 Homestead Finale – The Dream Ends Short
In his final full-time start, Gordon had a real shot at a fifth championship. But after dominating early, he faded to sixth as Kyle Busch took the title — ending his career without that storybook ending.
24. 2007 Daytona 500 – Teammate Trouble
Despite a strong car, Gordon got shuffled out late as Kevin Harvick and Mark Martin battled for the win. Teammate Jimmie Johnson beat him again, foreshadowing years of frustration.
23. 2004 Brickyard 400 – Blown Tire While Leading
Gordon was cruising toward another Indy win when a late-race tire failure ended his day — one of several that season where bad luck destroyed a potential victory.
22. 2001 Daytona 500 – The Tragedy That Shook NASCAR
Gordon won the race, but Dale Earnhardt’s death moments later made it hollow. The victory celebration felt wrong, and Gordon later said it changed the sport — and him — forever.
21. 2012 Martinsville – Clash with Clint Bowyer
A late-race tangle with Bowyer took both out and led to a massive pit-road brawl. Gordon was fined, suspended points, and his reputation took a rare public hit.
20. 1999 Daytona 500 – The Big One Strikes the Champ
Coming off a dominant 1998 season, Gordon got caught in a massive crash early, ending his hopes of back-to-back 500s.
19. 2010 Sonoma – Ambushed by Teammates
Both Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. roughed him up, leaving Gordon furious over being raced “like a dog” by his own Hendrick teammates.
18. 2005 Coca-Cola 600 – From Contender to Crash
Leading late, Gordon cut a tire and slammed the wall, crushing his shot at victory in NASCAR’s longest race.
17. 2013 Texas – The Harvick and Keselowski Mayhem
After contact with both drivers, Gordon’s day went downhill fast. It ended with a 38th-place finish and one furious confrontation in the garage.
16. 1997 Bristol – Booed for Dominance
Even in victory, Gordon was booed relentlessly by fans who’d grown tired of his winning ways — a moment that changed his public image forever.
15. 2008 Chicagoland – No Wins, No Momentum
For the first time since his rookie year, Gordon went winless — a stunning falloff for a four-time champion.
14. 2012 Phoenix – “Have at it, Boys” Gone Wrong
After payback gone too far, Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer, igniting a massive brawl and a black eye for his late-career sportsmanship.
13. 2006 Pocono – Double Engine Failure
In back-to-back Pocono races, Gordon blew engines in both events — rare for Hendrick power and devastating for his playoff hopes.
12. 2002 Daytona 500 – Multi-Car Mayhem
Caught in a 18-car crash early, Gordon’s 500 ended in twisted metal. It marked one of his roughest Speedweeks ever.
11. 2014 Texas – The Keselowski Clash
A late-race cut tire from contact with Brad Keselowski cost Gordon a win and possibly a championship. The post-race fight showed his rare flash of fury.
10. 2001 Kansas – First DNF for the #24 in Months
After leading early, Gordon’s car broke, ending his incredible streak of reliability and starting a midseason slump.
9. 2000 Talladega – The 18-Car Pileup
Gordon got flipped and destroyed in one of the nastiest wrecks of his Cup career, reminding everyone how violent plate racing could be.
8. 1996 The Rock – Rookie Rival Takes Him Out
Rookie Johnny Benson got loose and wiped out Gordon, costing him a sure win. Gordon was furious — and fans saw his temper for the first time.
7. 2015 Martinsville – The Final Win Overshadowed
Even his last career win came under chaos — a massive pileup, tempers flaring, and Matt Kenseth’s revenge on Joey Logano stealing the spotlight.
6. 2011 Phoenix – Dominance Denied
After leading 138 laps, Gordon got wrecked late by Kyle Busch, losing a near-certain win. His reaction over the radio said it all: “Unbelievable.”
5. 2008 Talladega – Flipped Upside Down
A rare violent rollover left Gordon shaken but unhurt — one of the scariest crashes of his later years.
4. 2009 Texas – The Helmet Toss
After being wrecked by Tony Stewart, Gordon’s furious helmet toss became an instant viral moment — proof that even legends lose their cool.
3. 1999 New Hampshire – Brake Failure Crash
A terrifying high-speed crash sent Gordon hard into the wall. He escaped uninjured but shaken — a reminder of how brutal the sport could be.
2. 2005 Atlanta – Engine Detonation While Leading
A dominant run went up in smoke with 10 laps to go. It was symbolic of a season full of “almosts” that slipped through his hands.
1. 2004 Championship – The Closest He Ever Got
Gordon lost the inaugural Chase title to Kurt Busch by just 16 points — despite leading the standings under the old system. It remains the most painful “what if” of his career.
