Will Jeff Gordon be Kelly Ripa's next permanent co-host on 'Live'?

SONOMA, Calif. — Could Live with Kelly become Live with Kelly and Jeff?

Jeff Gordon certainly didn’t shoot down the possibility Saturday at Sonoma Raceway, where he’s preparing to wrap up his first season as a NASCAR analyst for Fox Sports.

The website TVLine.com last week reported Gordon’s name has “zoomed to the top of ABC’s short list” to replace Michael Strahan as co-host. The four-time Sprint Cup champion has co-hosted the show in the past and now has more availability after his retirement from NASCAR in 2015.

“I’m flattered my name has been associated with that,” Gordon told reporters. “I’ve always maintained a great friendship with the show and some of the producers within the show. I had a great time co-hosting on that show, and I certainly would welcome it.

“My priority is Fox and Fox Sports and NASCAR, so I will definitely be back in the booth next year. If there was something that would fit around that, great. I don’t know if that’s a reality. But it’s been really interesting seeing that unfold (in the media). I really don’t have anything that I can say about it.”

The show announced Strahan’s departure in April, and Ripa was upset over not being in the loop about his move to Good Morning America.

Gordon, 44, has served as Ripa’s guest co-host nine times in the past, TVLine said.

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