Had things gone slightly different, however, Gordon could well have been a F1 driver today. Back in 1990, three-time World Champion and 1966 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year
Jackie Stewart recognized Gordon's talent and asked him to come to Europe for a test.
"I have always been a race fan," Gordon said. "I grew up watching more open-wheel racing than I did the stock cars. My first introduction to F1 was when I received a phone call from Jackie Stewart about going over to Europe and doing what he called 'a drive.' And I think at that time it was not in a F1 car but more like a Formula 3 or Formula 3000."
The Formula 3 and Formula 3000 series serve as stepping stones to
F1, but Gordon never did the test because he was offered a chance to race in NASCAR. He says he has no regrets about going stock car racing, but points out an ironic twist to it all.
"I have been so fortunate to have had the success that I have had," he said. "I love NASCAR. It's a little bit frustrating for me right now because I have had more opportunities to come F1 racing in the last three years than I ever did when it was a realistic goal. I am seeing more and more demand for an American driver in F1, but they want an American driver with a name."
The biggest name in F1 today is, of course, six-time World Champion
Michael Schumacher who has dominated the series in recent years.
"I respect him tremendously," Gordon said.
Unfortunately, Gordon did not get to meet Schumacher during his visit to the Spanish Grand Prix. If they had met, Gordon quipped he would have asked him "how he gets such a big salary!"
Getting serious, Gordon said if they had talked he would have talked about their cars.
"Like any driver I talk to I talk about the car," Gordon said. "I like to get their feel for what the car is doing, and where they feel that they may have an advantage or disadvantage."
![Jeff Gordon gives Juan Pablo Montoya a few tips on how to drive his NASCAR Chevrolet Monte Carlo [Pic credit: BMW]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/58256.jpg )
