July 20, 2016
Just eight months after announcing his retirement from professional racing, Jeff Gordon will return to the spotlight at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway over the next two weeks. The 44-year-old was announced as Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s replacement at both races Wednesday afternoon after Earnhardt failed to clear concussion procedures.
Earnhardt's removal from competition has had an adverse effect on the secondary market, as ticket prices have dropped for both races since news broke Wednesday. According to TicketIQ, the average price for NASCAR Crown Royal 400 tickets in Indianapolis this Sunday is now $132.82, marking a 37.5% dip from Monday's average price of $212.63. The cheapest ticket is currently listed from $47.
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As for the NASCAR Pennsylvania 400, tickets for the race have also plummeted since Earnhardt's removal was announced. NASCAR Pennsylvania 400 tickets own a secondary market average of $156.38. That is a 31.4% decline from Monday's $228.12 average. The get-in price is now $55.
Over his 24-year career, Gordon has five wins at Indianapolis and six at Pocono. The four-time Sprint Cup Series champion last raced at Homestead-Miami Speedway during the last race of the 2015 season finale.
Gordon, a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion, has six wins at Pocono and five at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He last raced in the 2015 season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway and worked with Fox Sports during the opening segment of the season. He will drive Earnhardt's No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports entry in both the Indy and Pocono.
