Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon undergoes procedure to curtail back pain
Hendrick Motorsports' Jeff Gordon has undergone a procedure to reduce back pain. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
Hendrick Motorsports driver Jeff Gordon underwent a back procedure Monday in an effort to alleviate pain he has been having recently.
“I had a facet-block procedure done on my back on Monday, and it went well,” the four-time Cup champion and current points leader said in a news release. “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.”
The procedure involves the injection of an anti-inflammatory into a spinal joint.
Gordon, who is scheduled to compete in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, plans to give his back a test Wednesday in the Ultimate Speed karting event to raise money for the Jeff Gordon Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, N.C.
“That event is always a lot of fun, and it shouldn’t be a strain on my back,” Gordon said. “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.”
Gordon expects to be back in his Cup car Thursday, when practices begin at Lowe's Motor Speedway. In 32 starts at the 1.5-mile track, Gordon has five wins, seven poles, 15 top-fives and 18 top-10 finishes.
“This is a grueling race – 600 miles here is tough,” Gordon said. “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.”
