Jeff Gordon Is Back

            I think I am the most excited NASCAR fan right now.  Wait, let me change that.  I am the most excited Jeff Gordon fan right now.  I am so glad that my favorite driver will be racing in two races for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway.  I have been smiling from ear to ear ever since hearing the news.

            Gordon did say last year when he announced that the 2015 season would be his last full time season racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.  He said that he is not really retiring from the sport.  He said that he did not want to use the “R” word.  He also said when the opportunity presented itself that he would do it.  I really did not think that this opportunity would be presented to him in this type of situation.

            For some of the people who did not know this, Dale Jr. has suffered from concussions before in 2002 and in 2012.  Last week he was diagnosed with concussion liked symptoms.  It was confirmed on Wednesday that Dale Jr. will be out of the car for at least 2 more races.  There are some fans who does not get it that he is looking out for his health.  Some fans have to realize that a driver’s health comes first before the fans.  Dale Jr. has to stay out of the car until it is safe for him to get back into the car.  If he gets back into the car too soon, he could risk getting involved in another accident and causing more damage to his brain.  He could also risk leaving the sport for good.  Dale Jr. does not need another concussion.

            It is bittersweet for my favorite driver to be in the #88 car.  It is such a bad circumstance for Gordon to come back into the sport to become a substitute driver.  But Gordon is the perfect choice as a substitute driver for his teammate.  He still hangs around the shop and at the track sometime.  Gordon knows what is going on at the shop and inside the car.  Rick Hendrick made the right choice to put Gordon inside the car.  I am looking forward to watching my favorite driver racing in NASCAR for the next two weeks.  Good luck to Gordon in these next two races.  And I hope Dale Jr. gets well soon.  #JeffGordon  #NASCAR  #DaleEarnhardtJr