Earlier this week, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series points leader Jeff Gordon had a procedure done in order to help ease his increasing back pain. The 37-year-old veteran is confident the procedure will help the constant pain and does not believe it will affect his performance on the track. 

“I had a facet block procedure done on my back on Monday and it went well,” Gordon explained. “I was a little sore after the procedure, but I’ll definitely take that brief bit of soreness if it stops the recurring back pain I’ve had. 

“I hope that will end the back issues I’ve been having, but it’s too early to tell if that fixed the problem.”

Gordon will put the procedure to the test this week as he prepares to race 600-miles against the best in the business at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. First though, he will head to Victory Lane Indoor Karting in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday morning to participate in the “Ultimate Speed” charity event for the Jeff Gordon Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord.

“That event is always a lot of fun, and it shouldn’t be a strain on my back,” said the four-time champion. “Even running karts I’ve felt some discomfort in my back, so that event may provide an early indication of how well the procedure worked.”

You certainly cannot judge Gordon’s pain on his performance, this year the No. 24 has been one of the toughest competitors on the track. That continued Saturday night during the Sprint All-Star Race. Gordon led the event twice for a total of eleven laps before crashing during the final ten-lap segment. 

“We ran well during the All-Star event, so that gives us some confidence heading into this weekend,” Gordon pointed out. “We’ve also run well on the mile-and-a-halfs this year with a win at Texas.”

Gordon is a three-time Coca-Cola 600 winner and finished fourth to Kasey Kahne in last year’s event.

“This is a grueling race – 600 miles here is tough,” the driver of the No. 24 added. “It’s tough on equipment, and it’s tough mentally. You have to mentally stay in the game and be focused for 600 miles.

“I’m really looking forward to the event. Obviously, I want to see how my back does, but I also think we can challenge for the win.”

With Tony Stewart close on his heels in the points race and carrying momentum from his win in the All-Star event, Gordon will need to put his back pain – if it remains – behind him and get the job done.

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