Jeff Gordon: Ella’s birth the best day of my life

Racer Jeff Gordon and his wife Ingrid welcomed daughter Ella Sofia on Wednesday, June 20th, but it was back to work for Jeff on Friday to prepare for today’s race. At a press conference, Jeff remarked,

I was holding her and she was sleeping in my arms right before I leftthe hospital. I did not want to leave. That’s why I’mexcited about being here, because I want to get out there and get thisrace over as fast as I can. I want to get it done faster than anyoneelse and get back to my little girl and Ingrid.

Of newfound fatherhood to his dark-haired daughter, Jeff said,

It is absolutely incredible. I expected it to change mylife, but I never had any clue of how it was going to, but it has. It’sjust things are different now, in a great way, though. It was justprobably the best day of my life.

You go through so many different emotions. You’re excited,you’re scared, and then once she’s there and you hear her cry and takethat first breath, you’re just overwhelmed with emotion. It was just anincredible feeling.

Although he is away from his daughter — Ingrid and Ella weren’t released from the hospital until Saturday due to Ingrid’s c-section because of Ella’s breech positioning — Jeff has a found a way to keep her close.

[I have a photo of her on my cell phone.] Every time I open my phone, itputs a smile on my face. With everything that’s happeninghere today, as devastating as it is for me, there’s nothing that’sgoing to bring me down today. More important things in life are at thetop of my list.

Source: NASCAR