NASCAR STARS ALIGN AT INDY
Stewart, Gordon, Earnhardt thrust into spotlight
Even before the news of Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s concussion-like symptoms and Jeff Gordon’s subsequent return to racing, this was going to be an emotional weekend.
Tony Stewart, beloved native son and a Hoosier through and through, was set to compete for the final time in a Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Now, Stewart will share the spotlight for the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 with Gordon, who returns for an encore at one of his home tracks, and, despite his absence, Earnhardt.
Indianapolis, in ways no one could have anticipated, will link the three stars who represent the cornerstone of a generation.
For much of the last two decades, NASCAR’s three biggest names have been Gordon, Stewart and Earnhardt Jr. They transcended the sport with their fame, personalities and ability to produce results on the track.
Gordon and Stewart have combined to win seven Sprint Cup championships. Earnhardt has been named NASCAR’s most popular driver for the last 13 years. All three should end up in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Now they have major story lines revolving around them on the same weekend — and it’s perhaps the last time we’ll be able to say that. Yes, Gordon will race again for Earnhardt next weekend at Pocono Raceway, but that will be just another race for Stewart.
Indianapolis, though, is special. This weekend will feature:
uStewart’s sentimental Indy goodbye. Billboards around Indianapolis promoting the race say “#FarewellSmoke.”
uGordon’s return to racing, where he’ll climb into a No. 88 car and race against his old No. 24.
uA No. 88 without Earnhardt in it for the second consecutive week and no set return date.
And that’s before the race even starts. What if Gordon or Stewart is in contention — or wins?
It’s certainly possible. Gordon is the track’s all-time leader with five victories, and Stewart has won twice.
Gordon’s presence in a fire suit instead of a business suit — like the kind he wore for his job as a Fox Sports analyst this season — is exciting. But when it’s under these circumstances — Earnhardt is struggling with balance and nausea — it’s hard to really embrace it.
How to feel about all this? In an informal Twitter poll, USA TODAY Sports asked fans for their reaction. Of more than 2,000 people who responded, 40% said they were torn — happy to see Gordon again but sad over Earnhardt’s health problems — 32% said they were happy and 28% said they were sad.
So there’s really no consensus from NASCAR nation. But given what we know about the fan base’s intense dislike of change, adding the potential for head injuries to shorten Earnhardt’s career to the departures of Gordon and Stewart — well, it’s a lot to take in all at once.
Look, the future is certainly bright when it comes to talent. Just look at Chase Elliott, Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson, to name a few. But it’s asking a lot for any young driver — or even a veteran — to step into the gaping holes that will be left by some of the sport’s all-time great personalities.
Stewart, Earnhardt and Gordon are probably among NASCAR’s 10 most dynamic stars — not just of their era, but ever.
That should make this year’s Brickyard memorable, regardless of what happens in the race.