NASCAR on NBC analysts Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett discuss how likely it is for Jeff Gordon to win this weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving the No. 88 car in relief of Dale Earnhardt Jr.
“He’ll get up to speed pretty fast,’' Petty said.
But Jarrett cautions of challenges Gordon faces in his first Sprint Cup race since last year’s season finale in Miami.
“A few challenges that he will face, one, will be the extreme heat this weekend ... and then the racing shape and that really won’t bother him until next week when he’s a little bit sore from sitting in the seat,’' Jarrett said.
Temperatures are expected to reach 90 degrees this weekend in Indianapolis.
Jarrett also noted another challenge for Gordon: “He’s in with hat team and in a car that really hasn’t been challenging for a win.’'
Earnhardt had one top-10 finish in his last 10 starts before missing last weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.