CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jeff Gordon says being fired from a race team was one of the best things that ever happened to him. That is just one of the things he reveals in a new book-- and he talked about that and more in an exclusive interview with NBC Charlotte.
As a NASCAR champion, Jeff Gordon is used to going in one direction.
But this year, he decided to change course, step off the race track and into the broadcasting booth. This decision led Gordon to begin working with Fox Sports as a NASCAR Analyst.
“I’m anxious, I’m nervous, but it’s a field I know; there’s nothing I know more about than racing.”
Writing his book required Gordon to spend a lot of time looking back.
“I actually learned a lot through this process,” he says.
Gordon's recently published coffee table book is titled: "Jeff Gordon: His Dream, Drive & Destiny". The book talks about his childhood, divorce, racing experiences and his life after racing.
One of the stand out moments Gordon talks about in his book was the time he was fired from a race team.
"I deserved to be. I was tearing up equipment, wasn’t winning enough races."
He says that being fired helped him land on the team where he ultimately won Daytona three times and was a NASCAR Sprint Cup champion four times.
Now Gordon has the opportunity to engage in two different careers.
“It’s amazing. I feel so fortunate!”
NBC Charlotte's Michelle Boudin asked Gordon if driving or live television gives him more of an adrenaline rush.
Gordon explained, "Nothing got my heart pumping more than doing Saturday Night Live!”
He’s also re-focused his efforts on the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, that, over the years, has raised more than $16 million in the fight against pediatric cancer.
He said that he’s met so many kids in need over the years through Make a Wish and hospital visits that he wanted to really make a difference.
“It really led me down a path-- I want to make an impact, I want to change this, help these families. It’s more than just me walking in and having a car and signing my name... I wanted to raise money."
Gordon genuinely wants to raise enough money to fund research and treatment that will help find a cure.
“The problem is, it’s not enough... I always want to do more.”
For more information on his foundation, check out: http://jeffgordon.com/jeff/foundation/