Jimmie Johnson reckons Jeff Gordon could win on NASCAR comeback
Jeff Gordon could win a sixth Brickyard 400 on his return to the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Indianapolis this weekend, reckons his Hendrick Motorsports team-mate Jimmie Johnson
Four-time Cup champion Gordon is standing in for Dale Earnhardt Jr for at least the next two races while Earnhardt continues his recovery from concussion-like symptoms.
Friday practice at Indy was Gordon's first time on track since he retired following the 2015 finale at Homestead, though he had a simulator session with General Motors on Thursday.
He was ninth quickest in the opening Indianapolis session and pacesetter Johnson does not think missing half the season will slow Gordon down at all.
"He has so many laps in a racecar, and so many laps here," said Johnson.
"Once the excitement of being on the track the first time goes away, and the butterflies subside, he'll do just fine.
"I don't see it being difficult for him - sure, maybe a little rusty when he gets started, but once he gets in the flow of things.
"What he ultimately wants is to win here.
"I think he is going to have a great experience. He is going to be fast and competitive."
Gordon reckoned he had probably worked harder at preparing for Indianapolis than during any other race build-up in his career.
"I have done everything I possibly can over the last three days to get ready for this race the best way that I can," Gordon said.
"We'll find out what kind of condition I'm in.
"There are certainly going to be challenges this weekend, but I feel like I am capable of doing it."
Johnson admitted he was not completely surprised Gordon was back little more than eight months after stopping racing.
"He didn't close the door - he said if the right opportunity came along, he would get back in," Johnson said.
"He wasn't like Mark Martin who thought he wanted to stop, and couldn't.
"It is big. Jeff has always been so well supported by the fans at this racetrack.
"I can only imagine how loud they are going to be at driver intros, and how bonkers this place would go if he is able to win."
Gordon's return has overshadowed Tony Stewart's final Cup race at his home track, but Stewart had no problem with being out of the spotlight.
"I had a couple of friends send me messages yesterday and they were furious about it going 'oh he is stealing your thunder,'" said Stewart, who will retire after 2016.
"I'm like 'are you kidding me? Jeff Gordon is doing me the biggest favour anybody could possibly do this weekend for me.'
"I'm just glad he's back. I'm sad that Dale Jr is not here, but if Dale can't be here, and we know why and we respect why he is not here, I couldn't be happier about the guy that is here in his place.
"I'm glad I get to race with him one more time."
Jeff Gordon could have replaced Tony Stewart in NASCAR Daytona 500
Tony Stewart 'not sentimental' over Indianapolis NASCAR farewell
Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty
Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty
The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test
The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test
The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw
The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins 2023 F1 Japanese GP results: Max Verstappen wins
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen cruises to victory, Red Bull ties up constructors' crown
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP Sargeant handed penalty for third car rules breach ahead of F1 Japanese GP
Live: F1 Japanese GP updates
Live: F1 Japanese GP updates Live: F1 Japanese GP updates
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of its Next Gen arrival
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022 How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR Why Bubba Wallace’s Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.