Jeff Gordon, 40, shows no signs of slowing down

Associated Press

LONG POND, Pa.

Jeff Gordon was struck by how the children of the Congo had their hands out looking for food or money. Gordon didn’t make his fact-finding mission to Africa for a quick fix. He was there for an education on what the children needed and how he could make a difference in their futures.

So he talked to the kids. Learned their special handshakes. He forged a bond over a three-day trip with the people that stretched deeper than a quick photo-op or a pithy feel-good sentence on a press release.

Back home, Gordon is the four-time NASCAR champion. To some kids, he’s the voice of Jeff Gorvette from “Cars 2.”

In a country where some grow up with lifelong hardships, Gordon was simply a friendly face trying to help.

“As soon as you make a connection with them, they light up,” Gordon said.

Gordon made his name as one of the greatest race car drivers on the planet. Now, he’s traveling the globe, on behalf of his own foundation and the Clinton Global Initiative, dedicated to charity work ranging from eradicating cancer to ending hunger. He does more than sign checks and call it a day. Gordon is visiting the poorest countries abroad, and touring food banks not far from the tracks that serve as his weekend office, to spotlight the causes that mean the most to him.

“I wish I had time to do more,” Gordon said.

This is Gordon at 40: Mixing life in the pits with philanthropy; juggling marriage, fatherhood and other business interests. He’s doing it all while enjoying a rebirth on the track, winning more races this season (two) than the previous three combined. Gordon’s first-year partnership with crew chief Alan Gustafson is an instant smash, and that Sprint Cup trophy that’s been anchored to Jimmie Johnson’s side at Hendrick Motorsports just might find a new address.

“I don’t think we’re the best team out there right now, but we’re knocking on the door of being there,” Gordon said.

Gordon was once NASCAR’s hotshot phenom, whose fiery competitive spirit zipped him to the top of the sport and ignited stock car racing’s popularity from Madison Avenue to mainstream America. He steamrolled the competition, married — then divorced — a Victory Lane model, and enjoyed all the perks of single life before settling down again.

All that has been etched in his bio for years.

His second act holds so much more.

On the morning of his 40th birthday last Thursday, Gordon awoke to his daughter, Ella, singing “Happy Birthday.” He had no blowout party plans. His son, Leo, turned 1 this week and the Gordons planned a private gathering with family and friends. Gordon lives in the moment, and has little time for reflection when there’s always so much to do.

He called his life, “40 great years,” with no complaints.

“I could never imagine my life turning out the way it has,” he said. “I never expected to have the career I’d have. I guess I always thought one day I’d be married with one or two children. Being a dad, to experience that, you can’t really fathom what it’s like. I certainly never thought I’d make trips to the Congo … . It’s certainly been an amazing opportunity.”