Jeff Gordon admits that he is learning quickly and adjusting back to his driving role after filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
He's back in the car at Pocono Raceway this weekend, again in relief as Earnhardt continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms. Beyond that, though, he refuses to speculate.
MORE: 10 to watch at Pocono | Earnhardt updates his progress
Gordon was asked at Pocono whether he was willing to continue in the car beyond this weekend should Earnhardt not be able to return for Watkins Glen. While he pointed out his commitment to team owner Rick Hendrick, he said no one should be speculating on when Earnhardt might return.
"We have to cross that bridge when we get there," Gordon said on Friday. "It seems like — it was great last Friday to see him say, 'Hey, I feel good today and made some progress' and we want to just keep going with how he's feeling, the doctors are evaluating and not speculate anything at this time."
Still, he pointed out that he wouldn't be in Pocono this weekend "if I wasn't committed to be there for Hendrick and this team in any way that they need me." He added that he'd be there as long as he is needed.
Gordon says there's a balance to the current situation. Everyone both wants Earnhardt to know "somebody is there for him" so that he doesn't have to worry and can focus on getting better.
"So nobody is putting any pressure or timeframe on that," he said. "He may be putting it on himself more than anybody else. Then there's the side of, whose the best person to put in the car to get the most points and then there's the sponsorship side of it as well. So far, from what Rick is telling me, that seems to be me."
The #88 @TeamChevy of @DaleJr finishes first practice at @PoconoRaceway P22, "the car is not bad". #NASCAR #TeamJG pic.twitter.com/HDiJ9JSCGe
— Jeff Gordon (@JeffGordonWeb) July 29, 2016
Gordon says he's been talking with Earnhardt weekly. They've found their input is similar on the car.
MORE: Who's the next Gordon or Stewart? | Menard leads opening Cup practice
He has, though, gained respect for what it takes to fill in for Earnhardt.
"I tell you after going through what I went through at Indy I have a much greater appreciation for him because that was one of the toughest things I ever did," he said. "Not just getting in the race car after eight months, but trying to fill-in for Dale Earnhardt, Jr. knowing the kind of attention that it gets.
"My heart was beating out of my chest because of the pressure and the eyes that were on you as much as just not being in the car. Great job to Alex [Bowman, who filled in at New Hampshire]."
Gordon is also been pleased to find that he handled the heat at Indy as well as he did, especially since he had been out of the car since November of 2015.
He added that he could feel the muscles he hasn't used in a while on Monday and Tuesday, though. And while driving aggravated his back more than the working out does, he said that he felt good by Friday.
As to whether any issues with the back pain he battled in the final years of his full-time career could impact his decision on whether or not he'll remain in the car, Gordon put it in perspective.
"I fought through it the last few years," he said. "I could fight through it longer if I had to. I prefer not to. I'm looking at it as this is a very temporary thing. I'm really more excited right now about my engagement at Hendrick Motorsports … Being in the race car does help me do a better job with that as well."
With the starting lineup set by Friday's qualifying, Sprint Cup's Pennsylvania 400 is scheduled for Sunday at Ponoco, weather permitting.