Back Spasm Sidelines Jeff Gordon For Happy Hour At Charlotte:
Jeff Gordon announced at the conclusion of the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series practice at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway that he would skip “happy hour” Saturday afternoon because of a back spasm suffered during the final round of Coca-Cola 600 pole qualifying on Thursday night.
“Yeah, unfortunately I had a back spasm the other night in that last qualifying run that I made, “ said Gordon. “And I’ve been trying to get it worked out by today, and I got in the car and it just wasn’t. The good news is that the car is awesome. So, I made 11 laps and it was everything I could do to do that. I just had to tell the team that I think it would be best if I sit out the rest of the day so that I can be prepared for this long, tough race that’s going to happen tomorrow.”
Gordon noted that Regan Smith, a Hendrick Motorsports test driver will be on stand-by for tomorrow’s event, should the current NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader be unable to go the distance Sunday night. The four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion is under the observation of Dr. Petty.
Alan Gustafson, crew chief of the No. 24 Drive To End Hunger Chevrolet SS stood by his driver in the decision to sit out Saturday afternoon’s final practice run, which even included the opportunity to put Smith behind the wheel of team’s entry for a few laps.
“We’ve tested a lot with Regan and have a really good baseline,” Gustafson offered. “Actually, Regan drove our car here during the NASCAR test in November or December, whenever that was. We’re real confident knowing what he’ll need as far as how the card drives. Don’t have any concerns about that. We’ll just spend a little time making sure he can get in there and get comfortable.”
Should Gordon be unable to start NASCAR’s longest race of the year, it is unlikely it will keep him from being ineligible to compete in the “Chase.”
Gordon hasn’t missed a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race since competing (full-time) in 735 races, dating back to 1993.
Advocare Lifting Bayne To Full-Time Cup; Reviving No. 6 For Roush Fenway Racing:
Roush Fenway Racing announced Saturday morning at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway that Trevor Bayne will advance to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full-time in 2015 with backing from Plano, Texas’s Advocare.
The partnership that lift’s the 2011 winner of the Daytona 500 to Sprint Cup Series on a permanent basis next year is a multi-year deal and will mark the return of the symbolic No. 6 for Roush Fenway Racing. Mark Martin, the patriarch of that number for 19 seasons led the news through a video broadcast alongside team owner Jack Roush, AdvoCare’s Mike Vaught and Bayne.
“I’m both excited and humbled to be a part of bringing the No. 6 back to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series,” said Trevor Bayne. “And to be able to make that move with AdvoCare makes it that much more special. They are a true partner that aligns with my foundation and core values in every way. I know the history of the No. 6 and what it means to Jack (Roush) and the entire Roush Fenway organization and our goal is to continue to add to its rich legacy in the sport.”
Martin, who hasn’t competed in a NASCAR race thus far in 2014, weighed-in his thoughts by saying, “There will always be a special place in my heart for the No. 6,” said former Roush Fenway driver Mark Martin. “It’s the number we used when Jack and I first went racing in 1988. There is so much history associated with that number and with the trials and successes that we went through as we helped build RFR into a premiere NASCAR team. I’m very proud of what we were able to accomplish during that time together; a part of me will always be the No. 6, and I’m happy to see it return with Jack, Trevor and AdvoCare next season.”
Bayne heading into tomorrow’s Coca-Cola 600 has 50 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts with the stunning win in the “Great American Race” in February 2011. He has scored two additional top-10s at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway (ninth) and Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway (eighth) in 2012 driving the No. 21 Ford Fusion. Bayne won his first of two NNS races for RFR at Texas Motor Speedway in November 2011.
23-year old Bayne informed Wood Bros. Racing of the move Saturday morning, thus leaving an opening for the No. 21 ride in 2015. Roush indicated he hoped that one of his rookie drivers, Chris Buescher or Ryan Reed would be a potential candidate, but would support the organization in whatever decision they made moving forward.
Through 10 NASCAR Nationwide Series races this season, Bayne has posted a season-best of third in the season-opener at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway, with seven additional top-10 runs that leaves him securing fifth in the championship standings leading into Saturday afternoon’s HISTORY 300.
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