ble 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 s

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. Cheap Jerseys From China . After dropping their final six games of December, the Wild opened the new calendar year with four consecutive wins. Following a loss to Colorado on Saturday, Minnesota rebounded the following night to blank Nashville 4-0, but then had the tables turned on them Tuesday. 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Australia Women 79 for 6 (Lanning 27, Ranaweera 3-20) beat Sri Lanka Women 76 (Ranaweera 32*, Beams 3-16, Ferling 3-4) by four wicketsScorecard Australia Womens bowlers set up the sides crushing win in the first ODI in Dambulla by bowling out Sri Lanka Women for 76 in 24.5 overs. Australia chased the target in 15.4 overs, before the scheduled innings break, but stuttered towards the end, losing five wickets for 30 runs. Australia took a 1-0 lead in the four-match ODI series.Having opted to bat, Sri Lanka lost two wickets off successive deliveries in the second over bowled by Megan Schutt. Fast bowler Holly Ferling had captain Chamari Atapattu caught in the next over, before picking up two more in the fifth over. Sri Lanka, by then, had slumped to 3 for 5.Legspinner Kristen Beams wrecked Sri Lankas middle order, taking the next three wickets to fall to leave the hosts tottering at 38 for 8 and in danger of posting their lowest ODI score (57). That ignominy was averted by No. 9 Inoka Ranaweeras career-best score of 32 not out. She struck five fours in her 43-ball knock. Offspinner Erin Osborne claimed the last two wickets.Weve talked about starting well, it was nice as a spinner to ccome in and take wickets on the back of a really good opening partnership, Beams said after the match.dddddddddddd Being able to have attacking fields when you come on to bowl, theres more confidence on our end. There was a fairly strong breeze, which was handy for a bit of drift, and there was just a little something in the wicket which we dont have at home.Before the series, Sri Lanka Women coach Lanka de Silva had said he was banking on their left-arm spinners Ranaweera and Sugandika Kumari against Australias predominantly right-handed batting line-up. After one over from Eshani Lokusuriyage, in which she had Ellyse Villani lbw off the first ball, Sri Lanka turned to their spinners.Captain Meg Lanning and Nicole Bolton added a 45-run second-wicket stand off just 44 balls to all but seal Australias chase. Ranaweera brought the hosts back into the match with three wickets in the space of six balls, but Australia cantered to the target with four wickets in hand and 206 balls to spare. Wicketkeeper Prasadani Weerakkody effected five of the six dismissals. ' ' '