Mario Andretti, Lewis Hamilton take in NASCAR season finale at Homestead
If there was any doubt the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway was a big deal, two of racing's biggest names took time to visit the South Florida track for the day's action.
Racing legend Mario Andretti and three-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton spent the day taking in the Ford EcoBoost 400, hanging out with the championship contenders and paying respect to veteran Jeff Gordon, who was making the final start of his Hall of Fame career.
Both Andretti and Hamilton stood with Gordon before he climbed in the No. 24 Chevrolet for the final time, and sat atop the Hendrick Motorsports driver's pit box throughout the race.
Before climbing in the car, Gordon took time to show Andretti and Hamilton the cockpit of the car and show off his steering wheel, which is much different from Hamilton's high-tech F1 version.
With their visit, it was clear the two racing legends were paying respect to the NASCAR championship fight and some of the sport's most successful competitors.
In the pit lane yesterday at @JeffGordonWeb's final #NASCAR race!! #24Ever pic.twitter.com/c9mZUnM9Fo
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 23, 2015
An amazing experience seeing @JeffGordonWeb's final @NASCAR race. Congratulations to you, Jeff, on an amazing career pic.twitter.com/NPuNavzRRX
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) November 23, 2015
A couple special guests showing support for @JeffGordonWeb! #24ever pic.twitter.com/zk1hnvtBy3
— Hendrick Motorsports (@TeamHendrick) November 22, 2015
Folks, you are watching history being made. @LewisHamilton and @MarioAndretti wish @JeffGordonWeb well on pit road.
— tom jensen (@tomjensen100) November 22, 2015
(L-R) Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M's Crispy Toyota, Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 AXALTA Chevrolet, and Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton talk prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton takes a photo from the pit box of Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 AXALTA Chevrolet, during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Nov. 22, 2015 in Homestead, Florida.
