Simple answer: A truckload of money. The real "financially independent" money in sports is not in the sport itself - it is in the endorsements.
DuPont and Pepsi are two companies that sponsor Jeff Gordon.
I believe it was the Pepsi car.
Jeff Gordon drives the #24 Drive To End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevy Impala.
About $5 if it is in excellent condition. There are two versions, one with the #24 race car and one with Jeff Gordon's likeness. Both are worth the same. They came in a four pack with a cardboard carrier that also had Jeff Gordon on the carrier. That set can be valued at around $25 to $30.
There is no primary Pepsi car currently in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series. Jeff Gordon on occasion will drive a car with a Pepsi paint scheme, being that Pepsi is one of his main sponsors through Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Gordon's primary sponsor is DuPont.
Currently, Jeff Gordon's primary sponsors are AARP's "Drive To End Hunger", Axalta Coating Systems and Pepsi.
Currently, Jeff Gordon's primary sponsor is AARP's "Drive To End Hunger". His secondary sponsors are DuPont and Pepsi.
There are 3 main companies that sponsor Jeff Gordon and they are DuPont, Pepsi, and United States National Guard. In 2011, Jeff Gordon had primary sponsorship from AARP and their "Drive To End Hunger" campaign for 22 races. DuPont and Pepsi filled the remaining 14 races. These sponsors will stay on for 2012.
There are 3 main companies that sponser Jeff Gordon and they are DuPont, Pepsi, and United States National Guard.
In the late 1970's Lennie Pond drove the Pepsi car for a little while but other then that Pepsi wasn't really on a car a lot.
AARP's "Drive To End Hunger" / Axalta Coating Systems / Pepsi are sponsors for Jeff Gordon in the Nascar Sprint Cup Series.
Pepsi