
Jeff Gordon, shown here before the start of last year's race, will fill in this weekend for Dale Earnhardt Jr.
IMS photo/Shawn GritzmacherINDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Gordon isn't done quite yet at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The record five-time winner of the event will return to competition this weekend at Brickyard 400 -- officially called the Crown Royal presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard -- filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is recovering from a concussion.
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.
Gordon 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.