The Boston Duck Boat Jeff Gordon will ride in Sunday prior to the Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway
LOUDON, N.H. – New Hampshire Motor Speedway executive vice president and general manager Jerry Gappens was trying to figure out a special way to pay tribute to four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon as he makes his final series start at track in Sunday’s Sylvania 300.
In Boston one of the recent symbols of celebrating champions is a ride around the city in Duck Boat parade.
On Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway Gordon will get that champion’s celebration.
Typically in pre-race drivcr introductions for Sprint Cup events at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, drivers each take a lap around the track greeting fans in the back of a pickup truck.
Sunday Gordon and his team and family will take that ride in a Duckboat around the 1.058-mile oval in Loudon.
“We wanted to do something special so we were able to contact the folks over in Boston and we thought it was appropriate to bring a Duck Boat over to New Hampshire Motor Speedway and put Jeff on that Duck Boat with his team and his family to have that ceremonial lap around the track when they wave at the fans,” Gappens said. “The significance of it is that in this part of the country when we have a World Championship team, whether it’s the Celtics or the Red Sox or the Patriots or the Bruins, they usually do a parade in Boston and they use the Duck Boats. It’s a big tradition and something that has really caught on. So we thought we’d bring the Duck Boat to Jeff and his family. He’s actually really excited about it.”
Gordon has three career victories at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 41 career Sprint Cup Series starts at the track.
“I have many fond memories of racing in New Hampshire and I am thrilled to share the pre-race moment with my team and family,” Gordon said in a release. “I have raced here since 1991, and it’s been a heck of a ride.”
He deserves it!!!