Race team says Gordon won’t be available to drive Michigan

Jeff Gordon, driving for injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., makes his way around Bristol Motor Speedway during practice for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in Bristol, Tenn.

Gordon qualified 11th for Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Bristol, his fourth as a replacement for Earnhardt.

Gordon has driven the last three races in the No. 88 with a best finish of 13th at Indianapolis.

If Dale Earnhardt Jr.is not cleared to race at Michigan, Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 auto.

Earnhardt is scheduled for a medical check and a decision on his status is expected early next week.

“I didn’t know I was going to be doing all of this”, Gordon said.

“To go from my experience [vacationing] in France and how relaxing that was to the intensity level at Indy, it was a big wake-up call for me”. He said he would be available to return at Darlington Raceway for the September 4 race, if he is needed.

“As soon as I can get healthy and get confident in how I feel and feel like I can drive a vehicle and be great driving it then I want to drive”, Earnhardt said. “You can’t just be out of it for six months and jump in and expect that to come naturally – not for me anyway”. It wouldn’t be fair to him. 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 vehicle owner. Saturday’s Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race (8 p.m. ET, NBCSN, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) at BMS will be the fifth race he’s missed.

With five career wins at the track, capping his career with his 801st start at Bristol wouldn’t be a bad send-off for Gordon. “I want to race”.