Four Tires and Fuel: Indianapolis

Share:

Motor Racing Network Pit Reporters Kim Coon and Pete Pistone discuss a number of topics in this week’s Indianapolis edition of “Four Tires and Fuel.”

What are your thoughts about Jeff Gordon coming out of retirement to fill in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. this week in Indianapolis?

Kim: Obviously it’s under unfortunate circumstances Gordon had to come out of retirement. I think it was a smart move for HMS to put Jeff in the seat for Indy, though. Their most popular driver is sidelined, and who better to fill Junior’s shoes than another one of the sport’s all-time favorites? It was also a good decision competition-wise. Gordon is a five-time Brickyard winner and will likely be a contender for the win on Sunday. The only other thing I will say is I think Gordon’s return from retirement would have been a little more special if he’d been out of the sport longer than a mere seven months and if it were under different circumstances, as opposed to filling in for an injured driver.Pete: Very mixed. First and foremost Gordon returning means Earnhardt Jr. is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms. His health is of the main concern for all involved and not having him in Indy this weekend is a blow for the sport. There isn’t a better driver than Gordon to come off the bench for Hendrick Motorsports certainly with his credentials, stature in the sport and record at the Brickyard. But last year’s final full season had a terrific ending and felt like the perfect closure to cap the future Hall of Famer’s career. Coming back for an encore so soon brings with is a combination of excitement and fear that last year’s wonderful memory could wind up tainted if things don’t go well. Fingers are crossed.

Is there another driver you’d like to see come out of retirement and compete in one more race?

Kim: This might not be a popular answer, but no. The future of NASCAR depends on the young, …

continue reading in source www.mrn.com