Profile America — Monday, August 3rd. Tomorrow is the birthday of a perennial star of one of the nation’s favorite spectator sports. Jeff Gordon — driver of number 24 — will be 38 years old. Winner of four NASCAR championships, he is one of the generation of drivers that transformed NASCAR from a regional attraction in the South to one with a truly national following. That generation is now facing increased competition from younger drivers, such as Carl Edwards and the Busch brothers. The economic recession has reduced attendance at weekly races this year, and even television ratings are down. In recent years, the 36 race schedule has drawn more than 12.5 million fans to tracks from New Hampshire to California.
