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Brickyard 400 betting odds for Sunday were being updated by oddsmakers Wednesday afternoon with news that Jeff Gordon will be coming out of retirement to replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. for at least the next two weeks.
Earnhardt’s concussion-like symptoms continue, thus prompting the move to get Gordon back behind the wheel. Jeff Gordon was trending heavily on Twitter shortly before Noon Eastern Time Wednesday following the news and has continued to be a hot topic of discussion leading up to Sunday's big race.
“Our focus is giving Dale all the time he needs to recover,” team owner Rick Hendrick said. “There’s nothing we want more than to see him back in the race car, but we’ll continue to listen to the doctors and follow their lead. What’s best for Dale is what’s best for Hendrick Motorsports and everyone involved with the team. We’re all proud of him and looking forward to having him racing soon.”
44-year-old Gordon, currently a Fox Sports analyst, is the all-time leader in wins at both Indianapolis (five) and Pocono (six).
“Jeff’s a team player,” Hendrick said. “I know he’ll be ready, and I know Dale has incredible trust in him. It’s going to be an emotional weekend with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel.”
Early odds to win the 2016 Brickyard 400 appear below with Jeff Gordon at 15-1.
Odds to Win 2016 Brickyard 400 (7/24/16)
| Driver | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kyle Busch | 11/2 |
| Kevin Harvick | 13/2 |
| Martin Truex Jr. | 13/2 |
| Joey Logano | 7/1 |
| Brad Keslowski | 8/1 |
| Carl Edwards | 8/1 |
| Jimmie Johnson | 8/1 |
| Matt Kenseth | 10/1 |
| Chase Elliott | 15/1 |
| Jeff Gordon | 15/1 |
| Kurt Busch | 15/1 |
| Denny Hamlin | 18/1 |
| Kyle Larson | 18/1 |
| Tony Stewart | 25/1 |
| Austin Dillon | 65/1 |
| Kasey Kahne | 80/1 |
| Paul Menard | 80/1 |
| Ryan Blaney | 80/1 |
| Ryan Newman | 80/1 |
| Greg Biffle | 100/1 |
| Jamie McMurray | 100/1 |
| Ricky Stenhouse Jr. | 200/1 |
| AJ Allmendinger | 300/1 |
| Aric Almirola | 300/1 |
| Trevor Bayne | 300/1 |
| Casey Mears | 500/1 |
| Clint Bowyer | 500/1 |
| Danica Patrick | 500/1 |
| Chris Buescher | 1000/1 |
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
