Gordon began the 1998 season as a test and engine development driver for Arciero-Wells Racing, but competed in 15 CART events after Hiro Matsushita retired. His season debut saw him drive to a seventh-place finish at Nazareth after starting 24th, which was the best finish for a Toyota engine at the time. His best start wat 13th at Gateway, where the starting grid was based on practice times due to a rain.

Gordon labored most of 1997 year in NASCAR Winston Cup, winning one pole position but crashing out of several races. His CART season consisted of one start: the season finale at California Speedway, where he finished eighth. He also ran in the Indianapolis 500, where he was very competitive early before a fire sent him home. The resulting burns caused him to miss several Winston Cup races.

Gordon's early racing was on two wheels in motocross racing. He left this to compete in off-road racing with his father. After five successful years he branched out to run the Auto Racing Club of America and IMSA Series. In 1991 he made his NASCAR debut in the Daytona 500, finishing 18th. In 1994 he tried his hand at NASCAR's new SuperTruck Series.

His first Indy Car racing experience came with Chip Ganassi Racing in 1992. At Cleveland he led a lap -- the only rookie to do so the entire season. By 1993 he found himself with A.J. Foyt Enterprises for his first full season of Indy Car racing. His best finish was second at Mid-Ohio.

He ran full seasons with Walker Racing from 1994 through 1996. He won at Phoenix and Detroit in 1995 and finished fifth in the season points standings in '94 and '95.

Sources: Star/News and SpeedNet staff reports.