NASCAR star Jeff Gordon interested in track proposed at Cooper Stadium

Racer's company wants to design track, put in mechanic's school at site

By Mark Ferenchik
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

NASCAR star Jeff Gordon wants to be involved in the proposed race track at Cooper Stadium and is interested in starting an auto mechanic's school at the site.

John Bickford, Gordon's stepfather and vice president and general manager of Jeff Gordon Inc., said the company will design the half-mile track.

Gordon is involved in a motorsports program at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C., where Gordon's race team is based. A similar program could be created in Columbus, Bickford said.

Bickford came to Columbus yesterday to meet with community leaders and residents and gauge their interest. Some residents have been concerned that the track would be too noisy.

Gordon's involvement brings credibility to a project that's been discussed for almost two years, said officials who attended the meeting at Cooper Stadium.

"We're recommending that we go forward with this project full steam," Bickford said.

"What he is talking about is very dynamic," said Kathy Gatterdam, president of the Franklinton Board of Trade. "I'm very excited that Jeff Gordon wants to be part of this project."

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