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Jeff Gordon is listed at just 5-foot-8 and 150 pounds, but the four-time Sprint Cup series champion deserves the title as NASCAR’s Iron Man.

Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Gordon will make his 789th consecutive start, breaking the record established by Ricky Rudd.

Gordon has endured jeers from fans, spectacular crashes and back pain to keep his tough-man streak alive.

“It’s hard to believe that I’ve been in that car every single race since 1992,” said Gordon during a recent teleconference “It wasn’t something I really ever focused on throughout my career; I just always focused on working hard and staying healthy and being as committed to the team, from a driver’s standpoint, as they have been to me. Now, here we are at 788. It’s pretty amazing.”

Terry Labonte held the Iron Man moniker at 655 straight starts before Rudd passed him in 2002.

In his typical humble fashion, Gordon praised the durability of Rudd and Labonte.

“Those guys are way tougher than me,” Gordon said. “I’ve never had to tape my eyelids open to make the race. I’ve had some injuries along the way that I’ve had to fight through, so I have a taste of it, but certainly nothing like those guys. Those guys are way tougher.”

Gordon credits said the safety evolutions in NASCAR for helping him return to the track each week.

“This sport is safer today than it ever has been, “he said. “But I think it’s a little bit more demanding in some ways, from how hard you have to push.

“But when you think of those guys and the conditions of the cars, they didn’t have any kind of air conditioning. They dealt with some major injuries and fought through, just like Terry. Being my teammate there, I’ve seen him race with a broken hand or wrist or whatever it was.”

Gordon also shared an example of Rudd’s tenacity and temper.

“I almost got in a fight with him one time,” Gordon said. And, I’m quite certain I would have lost that fight, yeah.”

The battle of the once and current NASCAR Iron Men unfolded during a race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“Rudd was no longer my teammate and I was trying to pass him,” Gordon said. “I had a little difficulty passing him, so I did a big slide-job on him in the middle of (Turns) 3 and 4, and I don’t think he was happy about that.”

The fiery Rudd wasted no time in showing his displeasure to Gordon’s bold move.

“He basically pushed me all the way down the straightaway and ended-up wrecking both of us by the time we got to Turn 1,” Gordon said. “I showed my displeasure and he showed his displeasure.

“We had to get in the ambulance together to come back to the infield care center. And we had many, many choice words. Nothing physical, but it got pretty heated.”

In addition to authoring the record for consecutive starts, Gordon has won 92 races and earned over $144 million over the past 24 seasons.

During his final season as a full-time Sprint Cup driver, Gordon has found time to look back on his mental scrapbook of memories.

“That’s been one of the greatest things about this year is reminiscing about how it all started,” Gordon said. “I’ve been able to reconnect with people that played a role along the way and significant moments that really changed my path or took it to the next level.

“Of course my step-dad (John Bickford) and my mom (Carol Bickford) have been there the whole way, so it’s been great interacting with them, as well, and talking about those times, because over the years, I can’t say that we always have.”

The first chapter of Gordon’s streak came in his first Sprint Cup race on Nov. 15, 1992 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

Despite having to endure back pain for the past few seasons, Gordon has kept charging to the delight of his fans and envy of his peers.

While Gordon admits the Iron Man honor is cool, he has more immediate concerns over the next nine races.

“I’m really focused on the Chase,” he said. “That’s where our priorities are and where our focus is at, but what’s coming along with that is something that I’m very proud of. And I’ve put a lot of effort into over the years into staying healthy and competitive.”