Happy Hour is currently underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway as teams make final adjustments to their car’s for tomorrow’s running of the Coca Cola 600. However there will be no sight of Jeff Gordon or the #24 car in today’s final practice session. After posting the best 10 lap average in Saturday morning’s practice session, the #24 team announced Gordon would sit out of Saturday’s final practice as a result of back spasms. Jeff Gordon battling back spasms, is really nothing new to those familiar with his history. Gordon has had several issues with his back and has battled through many nagging flareups in recent years.
Gordon will undergo treatment and the team fully anticipates that he will race in the Coca Cola 600. Unfortunately Gordon’s back issues come on the doorstep of NASCAR’s longest race in a 600 mile marathon at Charlotte. As a result, the #24 team has taken precaution by assigning backup duties to Regan Smith. Smith will be on stand-by if Gordon is unable to start or finish tomorrow’s 600 mile event that starts in the day and ends under the lights. To this point in the season, Gordon and the #24 car have been very strong especially on the 1.5 mile surfaces. After winning at Kansas, Gordon had another strong car in last week’s All-Star Race before something broke in the frontend of the car causing a wreck in the 4th segment which ultimately ended his night. As a result, many felt that Gordon would be a strong threat to win this Sunday’s 55th Coca Cola 600.
Despite a poor qualifying effort, Gordon was fast throughout both practices for the Coca Cola 600. His driving style is suitable for the long green flag runs that accompany the 600. In fact this week, Gordon is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first career win that was earned in the 1994 Coca Cola 600. Gordon’s tearful celebration that night in 1994 would be the first of 89 Sprint Cup victories which rank 3rd in NASCAR history behind the King Richard Petty (200) and David Pearson (105). Gordon was hoping to relive that moment from 20 years ago again this weekend but the back issues seemingly are hindering those chances. Still, do not be surprised if Gordon does not show any effects of his lingering back issues. Gordon has dealt with these issues in the past and knows how to deal with the pain. However, it is something that we will keep our eye on tomorrow night and in the weeks ahead.