Racer Jeff Gordon's wife files for divorce

WEST PALM BEACH -- They met in victory lane, but now their love has rounded the last lap.

Brooke Gordon, wife of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon, filed for divorce on Friday after more than seven years of marriage. Their marriage is "irretrievably broken as a result of the husband's marital misconduct," according to the document. The couple has no children.

Jeff Gordon, 30, is a four-time Winston Cup winner and has twice won the Daytona 500. Brooke Gordon has frequently been on hand at races to cheer her husband.

Brooke Gordon, 30, wants exclusive use of the couple's 23,095-square-foot oceanfront home in Highland Beach, valued at $9 million for tax purposes.

The couple also owns a second home on Palm Beach, according to the divorce petition filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court. She is asking that her husband continue to pay the salaries of the daytime and evening housekeepers, maintenance workers and the chef at the Highland Beach home.

She is also seeking alimony, the Porsche and the Mercedes 600 SL, and periodic use of their boats and the Falcon 200 airplane owned by one of their companies.

Georgia Newman, a lawyer for Fisher & Bendeck in West Palm Beach, one of two firms representing Brooke Gordon, said the firm intends to "ensure that Mrs. Gordon is treated equitably, particularly in light of the fact that he's become such a good success during their marriage."

Jeff Gordon is temporarily living with a business associate in North Carolina, according to the divorce suit. On Friday, he qualified for the second starting position in Sunday's Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina.

Jennifer Brooke Sealey, a former Miss Winston, married Jeff Gordon on Nov. 26, 1994. They had met in victory lane after a race at Daytona Speedway.

Jeff Gordon has frequently mentioned his love for his wife in interviews, including one for People magazine in its 2000 issue on the "sexiest men alive."

WOW! Imagine my surprise when I got a reply to a 7-1/2 month old post! I had to go back and read what I'd originally said that got your attention!

First, I'm not really much of a NASCAR fan, but Jeff Gordon is one driver that I noticed because of his convictions and public display of those convictions. When the news of his marital problems surfaced publicly, all I said was that I was disappointed. In no way did I ever insinuate that he ought to be perfect, or that he was any different than any other person. I also never decided he was some sort of evil person because of these revelations. Nor does my faith in the Lord and His witnesses change one bit because of things like this. I believe the apostle Paul had something to say about having this treasure in clay pots...we are all "cracked pots", imperfect vessels for the glorious gospel.

I'm truly sorry my post offended you. Again, all I said was that I was "disappointed." "Sorry" might have been a better choice of words.

As for "believing in [my] drivers...well...I don't know about that. Seems *my* driver or anyone else's driver are just people. I may (or may not) enjoy watching them speed round and round at 200 mph. I may (or may not) appreciate the finer points of 1/8-inch differences in aerodynamics between Fords and Chevys and Dodges and Pontiacs. I may even (or may not) support them by buying bumper stickers, soft drinks, Viagra, and UPS shipping. But whether or not I *believe* in them really makes no differece at all in the larger scheme of things!

Thanks for your post. Again, my sincerest apologies for offending you.

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