Willkommen! » Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning afte

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jeff Gordon always expected to be at this weekends Brickyard 400.The tricky part was figuring out his role.One week after Gordon asked his publicist to delay a long-planned announcement that he would drive the pace car before a race he won five times, the four-time Cup champion returned to the 2.5-mile oval as Dale Earnhardt Jr.s replacement and the top attraction in Sundays race.When (team owner) Rick (Hendrick) said to me, `Are you coming to Indianapolis? I said `Yes I am. I am coming on Saturday, Gordon said. He said, `Well, you better bring your uniform.The improbable comeback takes place just a short drive away from his childhood home of Pittsboro, Indiana, and eight months after his official retirement.Hes back for only one reason: Earnhardt continues to battle concussion-like symptoms and has not yet been cleared by doctors to climb back into the car.When Earnhardt took himself out of the No. 88 last weekend, Hendrick contacted his long-time star who was vacationing in France. Gordon agreed to pinch-hit when he returned. Gordon then texted publicist Jon Edwards, who contacted the speedway 15 minutes before the scheduled announcement.For the Rainbow Warrior, this weeks pace has been every bit as frantic.He flew to New York on Tuesday, then hopped on Hendricks plane, bound for North Carolina as Earnhardt was seeing doctors in Pittsburgh.After landing in Charlotte, Gordon was whisked to team headquarters for a seat fitting. On Wednesday, the day it was announced Earnhardt would miss two more races, Gordon had a physical, applied for drivers credentials and met with crew chief Greg Ives. Gordon spent the rest of the week watching Go-Pro videos, researching data and working in the simulator before practicing Friday. Qualifying will be held Saturday.When he arrived at the track Friday, throngs of fans lined up to catch one more glimpse of Gordon.This is certainly the last thing I thought was going to happen, but I knew it was Indianapolis, Gordon said. I didnt think about it. I felt like if there was one place that I was capable of doing it, it would be here.How much can be expected from a 44-year-old driver who will make his season debut at one of the series fastest tracks and on one of the seasons hottest weekends? The heat index is expected to hit triple digits Sunday.All I can tell you is that I have done everything I possibly can over the last three days to get ready for this race the best way that I can, he said.Gordon is the only five-time Brickyard winner and can become the first driver to ever win six times at Indy.Hes not eligible to make the Chase -- even with a win -- because he hasnt competed in enough races. But if the No. 88 car makes NASCARs playoffs and Earnhardt is not cleared to drive, Hendrick could keep Gordon, who kept the door open to running more races if needed.Earnhardts recovery appears to be progressing, though.Today is the 1st day in many that I sensed improvement, he wrote Friday on Twitter. Seen small gains during my physical therapy as well. Light at the end of the tunnel.Earnhardt also missed two races in 2012 with a concussion, causing some concern about the future plans of the series most popular driver. Hendrick said he has discussed a contract extension beyond next season but would rather see Earnhardt focus on getting healthy right now.Until then, other drivers expect Gordon to be an immediate factor.He could win it (Sunday) and surprise us, defending winner Kyle Busch said. I think realistically, hell be top 10.Its not the first time Gordon was approached this season about making a return, either.He also said he was asked to fill in for the injured Tony Stewart in February at Daytona. Gordon, who was with Stewart when he was injured riding an off-road vehicle, declined the invite because of his commitment to work on Fox Sports broadcast.I would have been all for it, Stewart said with a smile. I mean the least he could have done is, he broke my back, the least he could have done is drive for me.Gordon also acknowledged it will be strange to race against Chase Elliott, who took over in Gordons familiar No. 24 car after the 2015 season finale at Homestead.But for now, hell put the pace-car driving duties on hold as he tries to win for the 94th time in his career.Really, this is just me helping out the organization, Gordon said. We will see what happens on Sunday. Bill Laimbeer Pistons Jersey . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug. Custom Detroit Pistons Jerseys . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. https://www.pistonsrookiesshop.com/Tony-Snell-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk Pistons Jersey . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Henry Ellenson Pistons Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Tarik Cohen ran for 145 yards and three touchdowns to lead North Carolina A&T to a 42-17 victory over Florida A&M on Saturday.Cohen, who also had 65 yards on three receptions, iced the game with an 83-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to make it 35-10.Cohen had a 7-yard TD for the only touchdown in the first quarter, and his 19-yarder in the second put the Aggies (7-1, 5-0 Mideastern Athletic) up 14-10.Lamar Raynard found Elijah Bell for a 25-yardd score just before halftime to make it 21-10.ddddddddddddRaynard, who threw two interceptions in the first half, finished 20 of 27 for 230 yards.Cohen had 92 yards in the second half when Marquell Cartwright and Demetrius Fairley had TD runs of 1 and 20 yards, respectively.The Rattlers (3-6, 3-3) were held to 288 yards while the Aggies piled up 543. ' ' '