The four-time Sprint Cup champion will be at the track August 28 at MI for sponsor Axalta but said it would be unfair to have someone practice and qualify the vehicle and then him race it if Earnhardt can’t compete.
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Alex Bowman, who drove Earnhardt’s No. 88 vehicle last month at New Hampshire Motor Speedway before Gordon took over the following week, will again substitute if Earnhardt is not medically cleared to compete at MI.
But if the series’ most popular driver remains sidelined when the series heads to Michigan International Speedway next weekend, it will be Alex Bowman and not Jeff Gordon handling the driving duties of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet.
Gordon has since made three starts in Earnhardt’s absence, recording finishes of 13th (Indianapolis), 27th (Pocono) and 14th (Watkins Glen). “I’m pretty sure Alex Bowman would be in the auto”.
Don’t forget that Hendrick pulled the proverbial rabbit out of the hat by getting Gordon to drive the No. 88 machine so who knows that direction he will go in next weekend. It wouldn’t be fair to this team. He’s qualified 11th for Saturday night’s Bristol race. I’m not so sure I’m even the best choice for that package at that race anyway to get the most points for the auto owner.
Gordon is expected to be on hand to support the team on race day, officials said.
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Jeff Gordon is making his 801st start on Saturday (AP). Right now, I’m just happy to make it [the final qualifying round] and try to find ways to improve on what we’ve done so far.
