Latest on Jeff Gordon’s back:
#24-Jeff Gordon met with members of the media at Sonoma Raceway and discussed many subjects, including his back.
The transcript in part:
Q) HOW IS YOUR BACK NOW? HAVE YOU HAD TO DO ANYTHING SINCE CHARLOTTE THAT YOU DON’T NORMALLY DO TO MAINTAIN IT?
Gordon: “Since that incident in Charlotte, of course I had the cortisone shots - that was the biggest difference in things that I hadn’t had to do before. Then there was waiting for that to wear off to see what happens. In between that, I’m just doing a lot of ice, some TENS, the stimulation - the electric stimulation, and then my normal stretching and exercise routine that I always do. Just trying not to push it too hard. I’ve really gotten into bike riding this year, and was in great shape right before that happened in Charlotte. I’ve had to stay off the bike, but I’m looking forward to getting back on it. It feels pretty good out here. I’m happy as hard as you are braking, and all the shifting you are doing out here, I was a little concerned, but it has gone really well. The plane ride out was harder than anything, sitting there for five, six hours.”(Team Chevy)(6-21-2014)
M&M’s to move to Edwards if he goes to Gibbs?
UPDATE3 M&M’s move denied:
Rumors persist that Carl Edwards’ sponsor at Joe Gibbs Racing will be none other than the M&Ms/Mars brand. While even the Edwards to JGR piece of the puzzle has yet to be confirmed, the most recent speculation has the current Roush Fenway Racing driver with America’s most popular confection as his livery for 2015. Over the last few weeks, representatives from Gibbs have been actively recruiting throughout the garage for a fourth team but both Edwards and Gibbs remain mum on the driver’s status. Where would that leave Kyle Busch? Sources say Monster, a long-time supporter of Busch, would step up to the primary sponsorship level. Still, it’s hard to fathom an athlete as health-conscious as Edwards could embrace a brand with so little nutritional value. When Motorsport.com asked the driver two weeks ago about representing a company that he would not personally support off the track, the response was similar to Edwards’ previous “no comment” replies regarding next year.(Motorsport)
UPDATE: hearing that the deal between Edwards and Joe Gibbs Racing is done, no word when it will be announced.(6-19-2014)
UPDATE 2: Just 24 hours ago, reports surfaced that Carl Edwards will leave Roush Fenway Racing to drive an M&Ms-sponsored Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing beginning in 2015, with Kyle Busch driving a JGR Camry backed by Monster Energy Drink. Now, however, reliable sources say the M&Ms sponsorship will absolutely remain with Busch next season, and beyond. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a JGR insider said there is no truth to yesterday’s rumor that M&Ms will back Edwards next season, rather than Busch. “Kyle is M&Ms guy,” said the source, “and it is going to stay that way.”
Edwards’ remains characteristically tight-lipped about his ongoing contract negotiations, and no one at either Joe Gibbs Racing or Roush Fenway Racing have commented on reports of his impending move. If he does jump to JGR, however, it appears that it will not be with the support of M&Ms (Godfather Motorsports)
UPDATE 3: A clause in his [Edwards] contract prohibits him from discussing his plans until September, just as Matt Kenseth did not announce where he was going in 2013 until long after the team said he was not returning. If Roush handles Edwards’ departure the same way it did Kenseth’s, an announcement about his future with the team could be imminent. As speculation mounted Kenseth had signed with JGR during the Sonoma race weekend, Roush officially confirmed his departure two days after the race.(Associated Press)(6-21-2014)