Gordon’s back, but only as a part-timer

Jeff Gordon planned to be at this year’s Bojangles’ Southern 500, but he didn’t think he would be driving in the race.

Gordon, who retired from full-time racing last year, was scheduled to be at Darlington Raceway to take part in a Q&A with fans as part of a ticket package sold by the track. But Gordon’s plans changed several weeks ago because Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms. Earnhardt has been out of the car since July 24 and either Gordon or Alex Bowman has filled in.

Gordon gets the start for Earnhardt this week, driving the No. 88 car with the Buddy Baker’s Grey Ghost paint scheme for Darlington’s throwback weekend. Baker won the 1980 Daytona 500 with that paint scheme, and Earnhardt was in Darlington in April to promote it.

“I really anticipated Dale being back this weekend and seeing the progress he is making. I knew how special this race is and how much the throwback weekend meant to him,” Gordon said.

“I know how special Buddy was to everyone and that paint scheme is going to be fun to see. I am excited to see what we got in store this weekend.”

This will be Gordon’s fifth start for Earnhardt, and he has finished in the top 15 in three of the four races. Gordon said he’s becoming more comfortable with the team and crew chief Greg Ives. He said the race package he drove last year at Darlington is similar to the one he’ll drive this Sunday.

Gordon spent the first half of the year enjoying his retirement while working as analyst on Fox and handling sponsorship appearances. Being back in a race car hasn’t rekindled his desire to race on a full-time basis.

“I didn’t envision myself in a race car. Thought if I would be in anything, it would be unique, like a sports car race,” Gordon said. “Now being back involved the last several weeks, I remember really how intense and stressful it is. And it only solidifies my choice to get out of the car.”

But Gordon wouldn’t mind another trip to Victory Lane at Darlington, where he has enjoyed so much success. Gordon has won seven times, including five times in a seven-race span between 1995-97.

Gordon said two of his favorite memories at Darlington were winning the 1997 Winston Million and his last win at the track in 2007 where his radiator exploded as he headed to Victory Lane.

Gordon remembers all the hoopla surrounding the Winston Million, which was made up of races at Daytona, Talladega, Charlotte and Darlington. He won at Daytona and Charlotte and had a chance to join Bill Elliott as the only other driver to win the bonus.

Leading up to the race, he shot a TV show and made various appearances to promote it and then delivered by outdueling Jeff Burton.

“What an accomplishment it was,” Gordon said. “Sometimes when you build up something like that it doesn’t live up to the goal. But this did.”