Matt Kenseth celebrates his victory in the Pure Michigan 400 last year. (Getty)
Are we gearing up for a Dale Earnhardt Jr. return to racing?
The driver of the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports has missed the past 5 races with a concussion, but has ramped up his rehab fueling speculation he may drive in Sunday’s Pure Michigan 400.
Alex Bowman filled in for Junior in the first missed race and Jeff Gordon has been behind the wheel in the past 4. But Gordon won’t be driving this weekend at Michigan International Speedway as he has a prior commitment.
The Pure Michigan 400 is set for Sunday, August 28, at 2 p.m. Eastern. It will be televised by NBC Sports Network (NBCSN).
Team Hendrick won’t make an announcement on Earnhardt’s status until Wednesday afternoon, according a tweet.
We don’t expect to make an announcement regarding @MISpeedway before Wednesday afternoon.
So if Earnhardt Jr. doesn’t race in Michigan, it will be Bowman in the driver’s seat.
.@JeffGordonWeb has prior commitment that won’t allow him to be in Mich. for entire race wknd. @AlexBRacing to sub if @DaleJr isn’t cleared.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the No. 88 car is not in the entry list. You can see the full entry list below.
Keep reading for all the important race information:
Pure Michigan 400 Details
When: Sunday, August 28
Where: Michigan International Speedway
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern
TV Channel: NBCSN
Pure Michigan 400 Entry List
1 Jamie McMurray, Cessna Chevrolet – Chip Ganassi Racing
2 Brad Keselowski, Miller Lite – Team Penske
3 Austin Dillon, Cheerios – Richard Childress Racing
4 Kevin Harvick, Jimmy John’s Chevrolet SS – Stewart-Haas Racing
5 Kasey Kahne, Farmers Insurance – Hendrick Motorsports
6 Trevor Bayne, Advocare Ford Fusion – Roush Fenway Racing
7 Regan Smith, APC Chevrolet – Tommy Baldwin Racing
10 Danica Patrick, Aspen Dental Chevrolet SS – Stewart-Haas Racing
11 Denny Hamlin, FedEx Office – Joe Gibbs Racing
13 Casey Mears, GEICO – Germain Racing
14 Tony Stewart, Mobil 1 Chevrolet SS – Stewart-Haas Racing
15 Clint Bowyer, 5-Hour Energy – HScott Motorsports
16 Greg Biffle, Roush Performance Ford Fusion – Roush Fenway Racing
17 Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Zest Ford Fusion – Roush Fenway Racing
18 Kyle Busch, Interstate Batteries – Joe Gibbs Racing
19 Carl Edwards, ARRIS Surfboard – Joe Gibbs Racing
20 Matt Kenseth, Dollar General – Joe Gibbs Racing
21 Ryan Blaney, Motocraft/Quick Lane Tire + Auto Center – Wood Brothers Racing
22 Joey Logano, Shell Pennzoil – Team Penske
23 David Ragan, Dr. Pepper – BK Racing
24 Chase Elliott, NAPA Auto Parts – Hendrick Motorsports
27 Paul Menard, Sylvania/Menards – Richard Childress Racing
30 Josh Wise, Curtis Key Plumbing – The Motorsports Group
31 Ryan Newman, Freightliner – Richard Childress Racing
32 Jeffrey Earnhardt, CorvetteParts.net- GO FAS Racing
34 Chris Buescher, Dockside Logistics – Front Row Motorsports
38 Landon Cassill, MDS Transport – Front Row Motorsports
41 Kurt Busch, Monster Energy/Haas Automation Chevrolet SS – Stewart-Haas Racing
42 Kyle Larson, Target – Chip Ganassi Racing
43 Aric Almirola, Smithfield – Richard Petty Motorsports
44 Brian Scott, Medallion Financial – Richard Petty Motorsports
46 Michael Annett, Pilot Flying J – HScott Motorsports
47 AJ Allmendinger, Kroger/Scott Products – JTG Daugherty Racing
48 Jimmie Johnson, Lowe’s – Hendrick Motorsports
55 Reed Sorenson, VYDOX Plus – Premium Motorsports
78 Martin Truex Jr., Furniture Row/Denver Mattress – Furniture Row Racing
83 Matt DiBenedetto, Vector Security – BK Racing
95 Michael McDowell, Thrivent Financial – Circle Sport-Leavine Family
98 Cole Whitt, TBD – Premium Motorsports