Jeff Gordon’s comeback is surprising, but not completely unexpected

Through the year-long goodbye that included assorted gifts ranging from bourbon to wine, Shetland Ponies to a custom blackjack table, Jeff Gordon often maintained he wasn’t retiring completely -- only that he was stepping away from full-time competition.

In addition to spending additional time with his wife and two young children, what Gordon also sought was the chance to pursue other racing ventures. Be it the 24 Hours of Le Mans, or maybe a one-off Xfinity or Truck Series race somewhere like the Eldora Speedway dirt track.

And if the opportunity arose, Gordon hinted he could be enticed to drive in one more Sprint Cup race. Frequently he mentioned Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Martinsville Speedway, two of his favorite venues, where he could see himself potentially competing again.

But if Gordon were to stage a mini-comeback of sorts, it would require a series of factors to transpire. The right team -- most certainly Hendrick Motorsports, the organization Gordon was aligned with for the duration of his 23-year career -- would be in need of a driver, and the ideal setting.

The scenario to get Gordon back into competition has indeed unfolded; Hendrick Motorsports’ Dale Earnhardt Jr., Gordon’s teammate since 2008, is out indefinitely with concussion-like symptoms.

Eight months after seemingly making his last Cup start, Gordon will be on the track for Sunday’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the following week at Pocono Raceway. If Earnhardt isn’t ready to go for the Aug. 7 event at Watkins Glen International, Gordon will presumably continue driving Earnhardt’s No. 88 car on the Upstate New York road course, a track where he’s had great success (four victories) and long enjoyed.

Although it may seem a bit surreal to see Gordon behind the wheel of a car not adorned with No. 24, unfortunate circumstances have necessitated his return. Earnhardt is dealing with his third concussion in four years and his return is uncertain. Head injuries are simply something you don’t mess with, and no one understands this better than NASCAR’s most popular driver. When he resumes driving, it will only be when he’s feeling 100 percent fit and medically cleared. Not any time before.

That team owner Rick Hendrick asked Gordon to fill Earnhardt’s vacant seat is infallible logic. Why look elsewhere when a recently retired, though still competitive driver, is available and already on the company payroll? (Gordon has an equity stake in the organization.)

Most certainly Gordon will have some rust to knock off, although a pair of 85-minute practice sessions on Friday provide ample time to do so. Considering the 44-year-old is the all-time Indianapolis record-holder in wins, top five and top-10 finishes and laps led and won there in 2014, every reason exists to believe he will quickly re-acclimate himself.

Still, NASCAR’s juxtaposition of losing one of its all-time most popular drivers, while seeing the re-appearance of another is as obvious as the brightly colored paint scheme Gordon will sport at Indianapolis. Any enthusiasm over Gordon’s return is trumpeted by the knowledge that it comes at the expense of Earnhardt, who is in the abyss of uncertainty of when or even if he’ll ever be able to resume driving.

All of which creates a bit of awkwardness about the whole situation. The only hope is that everything is soon rectified with Earnhardt cleared to return, thus allowing Gordon to resume his post-retirement life.