NASCAR: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not Heading Into Dover

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

HOT – Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon’s weekend in Charlotte was in doubt after he was forced to cut practice short on Saturday due to pain from back spasms. When Gordon left the track on Saturday nobody was sure whether or not he would be able to run in the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday. HMS took the precaution of securing driver Regan Smith and having him on standby just in case Gordon was not well enough to race. Well, not only did Gordon race on Sunday but with 17 laps to go he was leading the race. In the end Gordon’s two tire gamble did not work and he ultimately finished in 7th place. All things considered, Gordon’s run on Sunday was tough and gritty and the fact that he was able to get a strong finish out of it is simply icing on the cake. Johnson may be chasing his seventh championship but Gordon and his drive for five are sure to contend as well.