What Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham
Before we get to what Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham, I need to confess something: when I first heard Ray Evernham was writing a book, I started thinking “oh great, he’s gonna tell us how easy it was with Jeff Gordon…and building the Dodge racing team…blah blah blah”. Ray always makes it look so easy, and that’s what made this book “Trophies and Scars” such a pleasant surprise…we learned a lot about Ray – including what Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham. This book is a much read for any NASCAR fan, or anyone looking for motivation to take that next big step in life. Here’s part of the conversation (click here for the whole conversation):
Before we get to what Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham – Ray talks about insecurities
(Big Jim) – Your insecurities humanized you to me and that to me is a key component of this book. You’ve humanized your experiences in a way that anyone can relate to.
(Ray) – Well, thank you, good. That was something I was trying to do and didn’t know if I was gonna be able to accomplish that.
And it was very important to let people know what I was really feeling because from outwardly, right? You play this role, right? You play in this role as this leader. You’re up on the pit box and you got the uniform and the sunglasses and you’ve got to be so confident. And so people are, you know, ’cause if you… you don’t look confident, the crew and the driver and sponsors and all those people don’t look confident or feel confidence either.
But on the inside, you know, as I said, there were days when, you know, my fingers shook pushing that button, was I going to make the right decision? And then, you know, again, not knowing, you know, you just taking the chance to prove to yourself if,hey, am I really worth a darn, could I do this or not? You know, that was hard because, you know, when you, when you roll the dice and you’re going all in, it’s scary. And that’s not just a one -time thing for you.
What Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham
(Big Jim) – Ray, outside of the trophies and the titles and everything, is there something you kept from your time with Jeff Gordon?
UNITED STATES – AUGUST 17: Auto Racing: NASCAR Pepsi/Devilbiss 400, Closeup of Jeff Gordon (R) and crew chief Ray Evernham (L) victorious with trophy after winning race, Brooklyn, MI 8/17/1998 (Photo by George Tiedemann/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X56238)
(Ray) – I think just the ability that when you have trust, honesty, respect, and you have a great communication with one person. you know that lives on and I think that knowing that look there’s gonna be bumps on the road because everybody’s got a different direction here and there but never let you know never let those goals or whatever drive apart family or friends.
(Big Jim) – Okay Ray, pick one guy in history that you would want to be the crew chief for.
(Ray) – Oh, wow. Goodness gracious. One guy in history that I would want to be the crew chief for, Mario Andretti.
(Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
(Big Jim) – I’m going to tell him you said that because we talk all the time. Seriously.
(Ray) – Well, tell him that that would be that would be my pick. This is Mario’s purpose. Mario has a personality like, like it’s somewhat like mine, except Mario’s got a lot more driving talent, right? But he, you know, he is after every little thing. You know, Mario is very interested in the car and how to win, you know, Mario just didn’t get in and drive the wheels off of something, even though he could. He technically, like every little thing that could get him in a car. is what he thinks about. And Mario has such a huge philosophical way of looking at auto racing just to be around him is an honor.
What Jeff Gordon taught Ray Evernham – Bottom Line
Ray Evernham is one of the best crew chiefs in NASCAR history. This book will change some of the preconceptions we’ve had (okay, I’ve had) about him. A must read.
