JEFF GORDON, NO. 24 DRIVE TO END HUNGER CHEVROLET SS - Will sit-out second NASCAR Sprint Cup practice session today due to back issue.

NORMALLY WE WOULD ASK ABOUT YOUR RACE CAR. BUT INSTEAD, HOW ARE YOU?

“Yeah, unfortunately I had a back spasm the other night in that last qualifying run that I made. And I’ve been trying to get it worked out by today, and I got in the car and it just wasn’t. The good news is that the car is awesome. So, I made 11 laps and it was everything I could do to do that. I just had to tell the team that I think it would be best if I sit out the rest of the day so that I can be prepared for this long, tough race that’s going to happen tomorrow.”

WHAT IS THE PLAN FOR THE 1:00 P.M. PRACTICE? WILL THERE BE A SUBSTITUTE DRIVER OR WILL THEY JUST LEAVE THE CAR THE WAY IT IS?

“Well, at this point we’re going to have Regan Smith standing by for tomorrow. But I don’t think they’re going to do anything more today. Again, luckily we had a good 11 laps there (in first practice session) and we’ve got our teammates and information that we’re going to be able to gather from them. It’s all coming together very fast right now.

“It’s unfortunate. I’ve had some spasms in the past, but this one it a little bit different. And so, I just want to really be cautious and take care of it. It doesn’t do me any good to be in the car right now; especially when the car is as good as it is. It’s really about getting prepared for 600 miles tomorrow. I have no doubts that I can be in this car and be competitive tomorrow if I just take it easy over the next 24 hours.”

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