Last Updated on July 20, 2016 by cassnetwork
INDIANAPOLIS – Jeff Gordon isn’t done quite yet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The record five-time champion of NASCAR’s spotlight race at IMS will return to competition on Sunday, July 24, at the Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard, filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. is sidelined while in NASCAR’s concussion protocol. Gordon, who grew up in nearby Pittsboro, retired from full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup competition at the end of the 2015 season. This weekend, he will drive the No. 88 Axalta Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports.
“We wish the circumstances were different, but we’re thrilled anytime we see Jeff Gordon on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and know our fans will love seeing him race again,” said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. “Between Jeff making a return visit and Tony Stewart making his final Brickyard start, this will be a legendary weekend for Hoosier race fans at IMS!”
Gordon, driving his iconic No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, won the inaugural Brickyard 400 on Aug. 6, 1994. He went on to win four more times, in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2014.
NASCAR weekend at IMS will begin on Friday morning, July 22, with the annual fan appreciation activity, Chevy Day at the Brickyard, leading into practice for the Sprint Cup Series and XFINITY Series cars. Saturday, July 23, will feature driver autograph sessions, Sprint Cup qualifying and XFINITY heat races followed by the Lilly Diabetes 250. A concert featuring Kid Rock will close out Saturday’s action.
Sunday’s Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard is scheduled for 3 p.m.
SOURCE: News release from Indianapolis Motor Speedway.