Gordon Goes Back To School In Martinsville

Jeff Gordon was just another student Thursday.

It’s been a while since Jeff Gordon last attended elementary school, but on Thursday he got a refresher course from the students at Patrick Henry Elementary School in Martinsville.

In town to help promote the March 28^th Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, Gordon spent a couple of hours with third and fourth graders at Patrick Henry Elementary School. It was an eye-opener to say the least.

“Things have changed a lot, a whole lot since I was in school,” said Gordon, who has a four-year-old daughter and a second child on the way. “Especially now that I’m a parent it’s an education for me to see what I’ll be going through in a few years, seeing what the kids are learning these days. It’s been a while since I’ve visited a school…don’t think I have since I’ve been a parent and I see it in a whole different perspective now.”

Patrick Henry principal Dr. Joan Montgomery led Gordon and a large media contingent on a tour of the school, making stops along the way in classes outfitted with electronic and computer learning aids that would rival the electronics in Gordon’s race shop. Patrick Henry Elementary School is a 2009 Distinguished Title 1 School and a School of Excellence, according to the Virginia Board of Education

In one class, students had prepared a racing version of Jeopardy with a Smart Board projected on a wall. Gordon selected the topic and money amount and the answer appeared on the wall awaiting Gordon to come up with the question, just like the TV version. The fix was in though. The students had come up with math problems that all had the same answer: 24 … the number of Gordon’s car.

“Are all the answers 24?” Gordon asked with a laugh. “I think I’m going to like this game.”

Gordon’s tour took him through several more classrooms, including one where he appeared to be stumped on a question involving the metric system and another class where he was serenaded in Spanish by a fourth-grade Spanish class.

The tour ended in the school’s library where students who had written essays with “Why I Like Jeff Gordon” as the topic had gathered for the chance to meet the four-time Spring Cup champion. Several were selected to read their essays.

“He’s my favorite, favorite of all drivers,” read Aidan Hart. “He’s my favorite even on my video game.”

“I think it’s important to meet him because he is a delightful gentleman,” Anasia Flood read as she stood beside Gordon in front of her classmates.

Chad Monday praised Gordon’s concern for others. “He has raised and donated millions of dollars to his foundation.”

And then Monday admitted that Gordon really wasn’t his favorite NASCAR driver, which doubled Gordon over with laughter.

“Jeff Gordon is my second favorite race car driver. My favorite race car driver is Kyle Busch But I like them both better than Jimmie Johnson.”

 Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 on Sunday, March 28, the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, March 27 and the Duracell Battery Kroger Pole Day on Friday, March 26 are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.racetickets.com.

Tickets for the Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500 begin at just $25.