Take A Ride On Jeff Gordon Expressway-Board of Transportation Designate A Portion Of Interstate 85

Online, October 19, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Mecklenburg County has recently been approached by NASCAR to request that the N.C. Board of Transportation designate a portion of Interstate 85 as the "Jeff Gordon Expressway" for his 85th career Sprint Cup Series victory and his humanitarian efforts in Mecklenburg County and the State of North Carolina.

The portion of Interstate 85 for which the request is being made (located in the unincorporated area of Mecklenburg County closest to the Charlotte Motor Speedway) is the segment from the City of Charlotte corporate limit line to the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus county line.

If the Mecklenburg County Commissioners approved a resolution on Tuesday night, race fans will get to do just that on a stretch of Interstate 85 in Mecklenburg County.

Mecklenburg County has recently been approached by NASCAR to request that the N.C. Board of Transportation designate a portion of Interstate 85 as the "Jeff Gordon Expressway" for his 85th career Sprint Cup Series victory and his humanitarian efforts in Mecklenburg County and the State of North Carolina.

Here is the proposed resolution county commissioners will consider :

Mecklenberg County
Board Of Commissioners
Resolution To Request Naming A Portion Of Interstate 85
The "Jeff Gordon Expressway"

Whereas, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Gordon has won his 85th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race placing him third overall for career wins in NASCAR while distinguishing himself off the track as a true humanitarian; and

Whereas, Jeff Gordon began his career in North Carolina in 1992 and currently resides in Mecklenburg County with his wife Ingrid and two children Ella and Leo; and

Whereas, North Carolina leads every other state for most victories in Jeff Gordon's career with 10 total victories including his first pole in 1993 and first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory in 1994 at Charlotte Motor Speedway; and

Whereas, Jeff Gordon has distinguished himself as a true humanitarian through the work of his charitable organization - The Jeff Gordon Foundation; and

Whereas, The Jeff Gordon Foundation, raised over $7 million for children's charities and continues to work to improve the lives of children in the region facing critical illnesses specifically children with pediatric cancer; and

Whereas, The Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital at Carolinas Medical Center -North East opened in Concord, North Carolina in December of 2006, providing a warm, caring atmosphere where the nurses, physicians and support staff are specially trained to care for pediatric patients; and

Whereas, It is appropriate to commemorate Jeff Gordon's 85th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory and outstanding commitment to public service through the Jeff Gordon Foundation by dedicating the portion of Interstate 85 from the City of Charlotte corporate limits to the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County line, "Jeff Gordon Expressway"; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners that the North Carolina Board of Transportation be hereby requested to designate, in honor of Jeff Gordon, the "Jeff Gordon Expressway" as being that portion of Interstate 85 from the City of Charlotte corporate limits to the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus county line for his 85th career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series victory and his humanitarian efforts in Mecklenburg County and the State of North Carolina. The Department of Transportation is also requested to place signs, or authorize the placement of signs, appropriate in size and content, to indicate designation of Interstate 85 from the City of Charlotte corporate limits to the Mecklenburg/Cabarrus County line in honor of Jeff Gordon.