As four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon advances further in his NASCAR career, race fans are getting an unintended closer glimpse into the things Gordon cares about most.
Endorsing charitable causes is nothing new for Gordon.
Gordon's most recent endeavor has been serving as spokesman for the Sounds of Pertussis campaign promoted by Sanofi Pasteur and the March of Dimes. The campaign encourages parents to protect themselves and their children by getting a booster shot for pertussis, or whooping cough.
Beginning next season, Gordon will take on a bigger and more expansive campaign - fighting hunger in America. The AARP Foundation is coordinating a Drive to End Hunger campaign, which will serve as primary sponsor on Gordon's No. 24 Chevrolet for 22 races in each of the next three seasons.
So, it is by chance or by choice that Gordon seems to find himself engaged more in promoting causes than peddling products at this stage of his career?
"I like to be involved in good causes and the work of my Foundation has picked up tremendously over the last several years and I think that sort of builds up the branding that comes with myself and my race team," Gordon said.
"I think it's pretty well known we enjoy giving back. I think it's a little bit of where I am in my career, and I say that not just because I'm getting older, but I noticed this and I tell Jimmie (Johnson) this with some of the things he's going through - I'm telling you 10 years from now you have no idea what kind of respect you'll have and what type of interest you'll have in a totally different way."
Gordon said he believes opportunities present themselves to those who remain consistent in their careers in what they say and what they do.
"I'm at that stage in my life and my career where this type of sponsorship makes perfect sense," he said.
