The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
38°F
Current Conditions
Clear sky
View complete weather report

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Auto Notes: Aging Jeff Gordon fights through pain to race

Gordon
Ap
Gordon

Jeff Gordon turned a nostalgic weekend at the Brickyard into a powerful reminder that he can still win NASCAR’s biggest races.

Oh, and a fifth championship.

But for all the proof that Gordon is still a driver to contend with in a championship push, he realizes he’s not in the same physical condition when he won his first Brickyard in 1994. Gordon turns 43 on Monday with an achy back that he feels when settling behind the wheel of the No. 24 Chevrolet.

Gordon hasn’t been the same since he felt consistent, shooting back pain before the Coca-Cola 600 in May.

Gordon had serious issues years ago in his lower spine and returned to full strength thanks to anti-inflammatory medication and workouts with a trainer. He drove in pain during a winless 2008 season and briefly contemplated retirement.

For all his back woes, Gordon said he never felt the stabbing pain like he did at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

“I don’t think my back is ever going to be the same after what happened at Charlotte,” Gordon said. “I don’t know what exactly transpired there, but it’s not the same. And I have to be much more careful.”

Gordon showed no signs of discomfort last weekend at Indy, pulling away from Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kasey Kahne on the final restart to win for the second time this season. Gordon holds the points lead heading into today’s race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, where he’s a six-time winner.

Kahne is winless this season and badly needs one if he wants to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field.

Brad Keselowski held off the charging Michael McDowell to win the NASCAR Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa.

Truck Series

Austin Dillon pulled away on the final restart to win the Truck Series race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Dillon grabbed his first Truck victory of the season.

IndyCar

Sebastien Bourdais got through rainy conditions in IndyCar qualifying at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio and earned his second pole position of the season. It is Bourdais’ 33rd career IndyCar pole.