Jeff Gordon won't drive for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Michigan

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Jeff Gordon, who has replaced Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the past four Sprint Cup races as Earnhardt recovers from a concussion, said Friday he won’t be in the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet next weekend at Michigan International Speedway.

Gordon told reporters at Bristol Motor Speedway that a prior commitment will keep him from racing at MIS. Gordon said Alex Bowman, who replaced Earnhardt at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, probably will return to the No. 88 at Michigan if Earnhardt isn't back in the car.

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Earnhardt has not indicated when he might return to driving, but has been posting some of his recovery exercise routine on Instagram. He said during a news conference at Watkins Glen International two weeks ago that patience was key and he was not even thinking about retirement.

Gordon said he expects to be at MIS on race day but that he won’t drive for Hendrick because he can’t be at the track all weekend. He said the fact that he hasn’t driven the low-downforce package at MIS would limit his performance.

“I’m pretty sure that Alex Bowman would be in the car,” Gordon told NBC Sports. “It wouldn’t be fair to him. It wouldn’t be fair to this team.”

Bowman confirmed that by later tweeting: "Happy to be on standby for @DaleJr and @TeamHendrick at @MISpeedway. Hopefully Dale is cleared but if not I'm ready to go!"

Gordon will drive for Earnhardt in Saturday night’s Sprint Cup race at Bristol. He qualified 11th Friday. He said he would be available to return at Darlington Raceway for the Sept. 4 race, if he is needed.