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Jeff Gordon to fill in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Brickyard 400

Posted at 10:49 AM, Jul 20, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-21 00:20:27-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Gordon will fill in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at this weekend's Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis, according to Hendrick Motorsports.

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Earnhardt Jr. is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms. He will also miss the race at Pocono Raceway on July 31.

Gordon, who is from Pittsboro, Indiana, is a 5-time Brickyard 400 champion.

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“Jeff’s a team player,” Hendrick said. “I know he’ll be ready, and I know Dale has incredible trust in him. It’s going to be an emotional weekend (at Indianapolis) with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel."

Gordon, 44, retired after the 2015 Sprint Cup season finale. He's competed in 23 Sprint Cup Series seasons.

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