Green in one-off drive for Childress

Gordon is missing the event to take part in the Baja 1000, an off-road desert truck race which he has won twice before. He has been part of Childress' squad since the team split with Mike Skinner in September.

"I'm a little bummed out that I'm not going to be in Homestead," Gordon told Speedvision.com. "I really want to be in Homestead, but I had put this Baja deal together before Richard asked me to drive the Lowe's [sponsored] car. My heart is in Winston Cup racing and it's where I want to make my career."

Gordon gave his NASCAR team boss the chance to sample his Baja truck recently. "It was a lot of fun and Richard had a blast," said the all-rounder. "He was driving like he'd been doing it forever, flooring the gas and going after all the big bumps and valleys on the property. It was nice to see that huge smile on his face."

Green's opportunity is a precursor to a full-time return to the Winston Cup next year. He will drive for a new team set up by Childress with sponsorship from America Online. Green has only competed in a few Winston Cup races this year.