Jeff Gordon considering retiring because of back pain?
By Mike Dyce
Sometime NASCAR drivers get scrutinized for their athletic ability, like when Donovan McNabb ripped NASCAR drivers on television when he said Jimmie Johnson wasn’t an athlete when discussing his sixth Sprint Series Championship. But just like other athletes their body endures stress and that leads to injuries, and Jeff Gordon is struggling with one right now.
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Gordon missed part of the practices ahead of the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR’s longest race, at Charlotte Motor Speedway over Memorial Day weekend because of pain in his back. Gordon still managed to get into the car and race, finishing in the top-ten in seventh place.
“If I don’t stay loose and ice and do other things that keep me loose when I get to the race weekend, what happened could possibly occur again,” Gordon told reporters after practice Friday at Dover International Speedway, via Sporting News.
“That’s the biggest thing I’m focused on, I’m not thinking or focusing on anything else (like retirement). I can tell you that if that happens many more times, I won’t have a choice.”
That is good news for racing fans, but it is worrisome for Gordon. That is a lot of work to keep pain away, and if it doesn’t lighten up over time he might be ending his career sooner than he wants to. Gordon said those back pains weren’t like other back issues he has dealt with over the past several years. He added that once the race is underway and the adrenaline is kicking in it isn’t as big of a concern.
While discussing that missed practice, Gordon joked about the retirement amongst talk that he could be forced to retire.
“That did more good for us for this season and our chances for a championship than anything else,” Gordon said. “That’s where my focus is.
“But you guys, feel free to ask me all the questions you want about retirement. I don’t have an answer for you.”