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Is Jeff Gordon replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr long term?

By Ted Fleming

Jul 22, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon waits in his garage as his team works on his car during practice for the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 22, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Sprint Cup driver Jeff Gordon waits in his garage as his team works on his car during practice for the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite his own back issues, Gordon’s loyalty to Hendrick Motorsports will keep him in the No. 88 Chevrolet until Earnhardt is ready to drive again.

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They say you are never really retired. That’s what is happening to Jeff Gordon as he will once again be behind the wheel of the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports this weekend at Pocono Raceway as Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss another race because of concussion-like symptoms.

Gordon, who met the media at The Tricky Triangle today, tackles a number of subjects although what most people wanted to know was how long he is willing to take Junior’s place if he is out for an extended period of time?

“I wouldn’t be here in Pocono if I wasn’t committed to be there for Hendrick Motorsports and this team in any way that they need me,” he said.  “I think there is a balance between trying to make this transition.  First of all you want Dale to have the comfort of knowing that somebody is there for him.  He doesn’t have to worry about that aspect of it through this process.  Just get well at the pace that is the right pace to do it.  So, nobody is putting any pressure or time frame on that.  He may be putting that on himself more than anybody else.”

While replacing Earnhardt doesn’t help him in the Chase, Gordon is aiding with owner points as well as keeping sponsors happy. He praised Alex Bowman for jumping in the car at New Hampshire, but Rick Hendrick always knew that was going to be temporary if there was a lengthy absence.

If there was one concern with pulling Gordon out of retirement, even temporarily, it was his back. Could he withstand the rigors of racing every week if Earnhardt was out past this Sunday?

“I fought through it the last few years,” said Gordon.  “I could fight through it longer if I had to.  I prefer not to.  I am looking at this as a very temporary thing.  I’m really more excited right now about my engagement at Hendrick Motorsports and helping Rick (Hendrick) and Doug Duchardt and Ken Howes and Marshall Carlson and everybody there trying to find out where we can be better, how we can be more competitive and that role in those meetings more so than driving the race car.  But, being in the race car does help me do a better job with that as well.”

Gordon has been doing a balancing act because he had commitments planned after his duties when NASCAR on Fox ended their half-season of television coverage. He just returned from Mexico with business with Axalta, his primary sponsor when he was in the No. 24 Chevy. Axalta has also been on the No. 88 this season.

“A lot of these things that were already scheduled and then to throw in these two races has definitely made it a very hectic schedule.  I’ve not even been home to get a new set of clothes. So, I was doing some laundry this week myself as well.”

There will be two factors if Gordon will be driving past Pocono. His own health and how soon Earnhardt can get back in his own car. For now, the Pennsylvania 400 is as far as Gordon is looking right now.

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