FOX Sports Films Documentary Explores Rivalry Btw Icons Dale Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon made waves immediately upon entering NASCAR

The Yankees vs. the Red Sox … Lakers and Celtics … Earnhardt and Gordon …

Every sport has an iconic rivalry that defined an era and cemented a fan base for generations to come. In NASCAR, that was found in the memorable battles of two of the most-popular drivers of all time — seven-time champion Dale Earnhardt and four-time champion and FOX NASCAR analyst Jeff Gordon.

FOX Sports Films, in collaboration with NASCAR Productions, DLP Media Group and executive-produced by Gordon, explores the racing legends’ relationship on and off-the-track in UNRIVALED: EARNHARDT VS. GORDON, a 60-minute documentary premiering Thursday, Feb. 14 on FS1 (10:00 PM ET immediately following the network’s coverage of THE DUEL AT DAYTONA).

“The Dale Earnhardt/Jeff Gordon rivalry was one for the ages," said Charlie Dixon, EVP, Content at FOX Sports. “Race fan or not, everyone was familiar with these two and was captivated when they crossed paths on the track. FOX Sports Films is thrilled to highlight those encounters and the unexpected friendship they shared off the race track."

Earnhardt was king until Gordon came onto the scene

Earnhardt and Gordon staged one of sports’ fiercest and most-captivating rivalries. Bitter enemies behind the wheel, the two vastly different men were fast, yet unlikely, friends outside their race cars. From their family backgrounds to their driving styles, paint schemes and fashion sense, the icons could not have been more polar opposites. UNRIVALED: EARNHARDT VS. GORDON strips away the public façade to highlight the unpredictable intersection of their lives and personalities and their impacts on NASCAR.

"Working on this project brought back so many memorable moments," Gordon said. "Dale was such a fierce competitor, and he used his bumper plenty of times to teach me lessons on the track. Off the track — and I don't know exactly why — he took me under his wing to teach me so much about the business side of our sport."

The documentary also explores the racers’ polarizing fan bases, allegiances still evident today in a stroll through race track infields.

Interviewees in the film include: Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Rick Hendrick, Ray Evernham, Richard Childress, Larry McReynolds, Jay Wells, JR Rhodes, Don Hawk, Daniel Ricciardo, Ricky Craven, John Bickford, Carol Bickford, Joe Garner, Dr. Jerry Punch, Ryan McGee, Marty Smith, Kyle Busch, Austin Dillon, Mike Helton, Brian Williams, Gavin Kilduff, Chocolate Myers, Andy Petree and Chris Williams.