New Jeff Gordon exhibit to open at IMS Museum

Dive into NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon’s life and legacy in “Jeff Gordon”, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum’s newest exhibition opening July 1, just before the Brickyard 400 returns to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The exhibition will span both Lower-Level rotating galleries, replacing “Now Stay Tuned” and “Setting the Pace”.

“Jeff Gordon” will explore Gordon’s racing timeline from his early roots driving quarter midgets, racing sprint cars as a teen, to his unparalleled stock car career. Gordon is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001), secured 93 Cup Series victories (third all-time), and won the Brickyard 400 a record five times. 

“Jeff Gordon is one of the most influential drivers in NASCAR history, but he is also a prolific figure in Indiana racing history and culture,” said Jason Vansickle, IMS Museum vice president of curation and education. “We begin by highlighting his early career, growing up in Pittsboro, Indiana, and of course, his unmatched success here at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the Brickyard 400.” 

While the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum has spotlighted NASCAR drivers and races over the years, this is the first time it has curated an entire exhibition dedicated to a single NASCAR driver.

Thirteen cars from every era of his career will be on display, from a 1985 sprint car to Brickyard 400, Daytona 500, and Coca-Cola 600-winning stock cars with his iconic No. 24 rainbow and flame liveries. Never-before-displayed artifacts include:  

• His first-ever trophy from a bicycle race in 1976. 
• The first Jeff Gordon T-shirt from 1978.  
• The firesuit from his first sprint car win in 1986. 
• The Williams Formula 1 steering wheel Gordon used when he swapped seats with Juan Pablo Montoya at the Speedway in 2003.  

Over 70 of his helmets will be displayed as art pieces on an eye-catching gallery wall. Additional artifacts include rings, trophies, letters, and jackets with significance to Gordon’s life and career. 

"I was incredibly honored when the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum reached out with the idea for this exhibit,” said Gordon.

“It is the largest collection of my personal memorabilia ever displayed to the public, and I couldn't think of a better place for it than here at Indy, which had such a significant impact on my career. Countless hours went into putting this exhibit together, and I'm grateful to the IMS Museum team, my family and Hendrick Motorsports for their contributions. Walking through the exhibit for the first time will be a truly special experience and bring back a lot of memories. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I will." 

"Jeff Gordon” is open until February 2027. The exhibit is included in Museum admission, which can be purchased online at imsmuseum.org. Note that during Brickyard 400 weekend, guests must purchase Indianapolis Motor Speedway gate admission to get into the track, in addition to Museum admission.