H2H: Tackling three key questions on Gordon, Junior – Nascar

PHOTOS: Big-name drivers in No. 88 | Junior through the years

For at least the next two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races, starting this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Jeff Gordon will be behind the wheel of the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet as Dale Earnhardt Jr. continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms.

The high-profile changing of seats prompts several questions — for the recovering Earnhardt Jr., the returning Jeff Gordon and the No. 88 team itself. NASCAR.com reporters Holly Cain and Zack Albert tackle a handful of these questions in a quick reporter roundtable.

HC: Of course, this depends on the length of time doctors would like Earnhardt to heal. But should he return in two weeks’ time, I still think it’s absolutely a good bet he makes the Chase, perhaps even wins a race. He’s won seven races in the last two seasons. And he has five wins at tracks that would still be on the schedule to set the Chase field — a pair at Michigan and three victories at the regular-season finale venue, Richmond.

ZA: Getting healthy — not even necessarily for a return to NASCAR, but in general — remains the overall priority for Earnhardt Jr., but the team must press on regardless of who is in the driver’s seat. A two-week absence will drop Earnhardt from the 16-driver provisional Chase grid, placing urgency on winning when he potentially returns. The almost certain granting of a Chase eligibility waiver from NASCAR competition officials should guarantee that the opportunity exists.

HC: Frankly, how could our expectations be too high here? Especially at Indy, where Gordon is the all-time winningest driver with five trophies. He is the dream substitute — a pillar of the Hendrick Motorsports organization, fresh off a Chase final-four season and trackside all year in his role as a FOX Sports race analyst.

Earnhardt’s Chevrolet will be in good hands. The biggest issue may only be making sure Gordon doesn’t pull into Chase Elliott ‘s No. 24 pit stall.

ZA: This isn’t exactly Michael Jordan puttering around in a Washington Wizards jersey. Half a season off doesn’t exactly allow for the accumulation of rust, especially when considering that Gordon, one of the sport’s all-time greats, retired from full-time competition at the height of his game.

The expectation is for Gordon to be sharp as ever. The results are anyone’s guess.

HC: Even should Gordon pull off an amazing victory in Earnhardt’s car this week at Indy or next at Pocono, the four-time Cup champ’s legacy is already NASCAR Hall of Fame bound. For Earnhardt, getting out of the car and setting a standard in the sport’s concussion treatment will be as important a legacy as his two Daytona 500 victories and 24 other Cup wins. He is the sport’s reigning superstar and his responsible and inspiring actions only increase his stature. And that’s saying something!

ZA: Jeff Gordon ‘s legacy in the sport is already secure in quick-drying cement. His comeback’s only possible augmentations (and they’d be nominal boosts to his already transcendent portfolio) would be another victory or reaching the 800-starts plateau, a mere three appearances away.

Earnhardt Jr.’s legacy — and popularity — may only grow as he continues to lead the charge in the research of sport-related brain trauma. That contribution to stock-car racing is far greater than any possible unchecked boxes on his career list of on-track accomplishments.