I'm jealous that you are living the life I wish I had, on and off the track. To watch you blast through the competition and through the record books of the sport I've been watching since I was a young boy leaves me red with envy. I can't help but wish I were in your place. I can't help but wish I could drive a stock car like you.

I'm jealous of your lovely wife. The way she's always there for you, the way she comforts you on the good and bad days, leaves me blue with envy. I can't help but wish I were in your place. I can't help but wish I had a love like yours.

I'm jealous of your victory lane speech. Not the part where you always thank your crew and owner, it is the part where you thank God. The way you give him credit for all of your success, the way you serve him through your faith, leaves me yellow with envy. I can't help but wish I were in your place. I can't help but wish I knew God as you do.

I'm jealous of your charisma. The way you captivate millions with your daring on track maneuvers, the way you can be the center of attention, and yet so calm and collective at the same time leaves me green with envy. I can't help but wish I were in your place, Jeff. I can't help but wish I could captivate people as you do.

So Jeff, as you can see, it's not that I hate you, it's that I wish too much that I were you. Though I may wear a shirt of another driver, Jeff, I'll always be a rainbow warrior of envy at heart. Graciously Yours,

Matt Felten From an autoracing.org article here

Anyway here are some reasons to like Jeff Gordon. Of course we're all jealous of him and his successes but admit it, he's a great guy, and just because he's now famous and everything, doesn't make him a person to dislike . He's fun to root for even though you have to be strong and not let other fans who don't like him bother you ( I'm probably being a hypocrite now) but go on and SPEAK UP!!!! So go on and PROUDLY wear your Jeff Gordon shirt, hat or jacket. Don't be afraid to buy that cool Pepsi diecaste car, despite the snickers you might hear. He deserves respect. And he's no phony. He's a great guy to follow for people who feel like they're a little bit of an outcast in society, since unfortunately Jeff is one in NASCAR and he shows with class that just because you're different doesn't mean you can't succeed.

Here are some more reasons to like him, which in no particular order:

HIS CAR AND TEAM!

Jeff has one of the coolest looking cars with those rainbow colors. It's just so fresh and colorful! Ray Evernham and the Rainbow Warriors are wonderful at helping Jeff and his car make it to the winner's circle. Even their motto "Refuse to Lose" is cool.

HE IS A WINNER!

He is really talented and gives it his best. He is also one of the youngest drivers and has one of the best records yet and, as we all know Jeff does NOT cheat!!!!! If you knew how the NASCAR officials checked those cars and how many times they do it, you would highly doubt that any driver could get away with cheating..

HIS PERSONALITY!

I heard it many times by people who have met him that he is very down to Earth and sweet, he isn't all arrogant or redneck like many other drivers. Also he still keeps his head high when the chips are down. He also doesn't blame things on other people and always takes responsibility. For example, one race when he accidentally caused a crash he admitted he made a "bonehead move" when trying to get through the field. He also has strong beliefs and even though people criticize him for it, he doesn't care and is proud for what he believes in. Yes, he can be maybe too emotional at times but so far I have yet to come across a person who has not shown true emotion, even the so-called "tough guys" (admit it)

HIS COMPASSION!

Leukemia, Make-A-Wish... He donates his time to help Leukemia patients and other children's charities. Unfortunately Jeff Gordons' car owner Rick Hendrick and "Ray Jay" Evernham (Ray Evernham's son) are suffering with Leukemia . Luckily they are both in remission and doing better. Also if you either go to races often or watch them on tv, notice that in every race, Jeff and Ray always invites at least one ill child to a race to fulfill his/her dream of meeting them. The children usually have Jeff Gordon shirts or hats on and are in the pits so they can see all the action. Whenever Jeff wins a race you can usually see them in the winner's circle.

HE IS A GOOD ROLE MODEL!-

Compared to a lot of celebrities and athletes (and Presidents!) Jeff Gordon is a perfect candidate for being a positive role model. Face it, he has a nice family, clean-cut, works hard and not into all that drug mumbo jumbo. One again, he is no phony. Jeff one time said if he was wearing a cowboy hat and boots and listening to country music all the time like a lot of the "good old boy" drivers, then he would be a phony. Jeff is Jeff and if you don't like him that way...well that's your problem, live with it.

HE IS VERY HANDSOME