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Suddenly unretired Gordon back at Pocono

Between coming back from his vacation in France, getting in a race car for the first time in eight months, and prepping for races he never planned on entering, Jeff Gordon hasn't had a chance to pick up a new set of clothes from home.

LONG POND, Pa. - Between coming back from his vacation in France, getting in a race car for the first time in eight months, and prepping for races he never planned on entering, Jeff Gordon hasn't had a chance to pick up a new set of clothes from home.

He raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last weekend and will race at Pocono Raceway this week. In between, Gordon had to do laundry on his own.

Gordon, 44, retired in November but now feels as if he's in The Twilight Zone.

"It's been pretty strange and weird and awkward and fun all mixed together," Gordon said.

Being inside the race car has become instinctual for Gordon, who racked up 93 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series wins since 1992. He'll drive the No. 88 car from the 24th position in the Pennsylvania 400 at Pocono Raceway at 1:30 p.m. Sunday as Dale Earnhardt Jr. misses his third week with concussion symptoms.

Earnhardt is scheduled to return next week at Watkins Glen International, though his recovery will determine that.

Gordon stayed involved in the sport as a commentator for Fox's broadcasts and as a co-owner of Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 car. Serving in both roles drew criticism from Brad Keselowski after Gordon criticized him on the air. Fox had the rights to races only until the end of June, though, and Gordon shifted his focus to helping Hendrick Motorsports.

Now, if only as a temporary fill-in, Gordon is back where he made a name for himself, and Pocono is where he has won a record six times.

"Anyone who tries to do this week in and week out, it's an uphill battle," said Steve Letarte, Gordon's crew chief from 2005 to 2010 and now an analyst for NBC. ". . . But he's not just anyone. He's a future Hall of Famer."

Earnhardt told team owner Rick Hendrick that he couldn't race on July 14. That was just three days before the New Hampshire 301, so it was too late to ask Gordon. Xfinity Series driver Alex Bowman drove the No. 88 car instead and finished 26th.

At Indianapolis last week, Gordon finished 13th and wasn't satisfied with his performance. He considers himself a perfectionist and he wasn't good enough on restarts. Even though the last two weeks have been surreal, Gordon said, beating himself up over results is what he got used to throughout his career.

"It's hard to get into a rhythm," Gordon said. "It's hard to be smooth and be consistent."

Gordon never planned on being in this situation, but all he wants to do is help his team. The car doesn't say "Gordon" anywhere on it. His team won't produce any merchandise while Earnhardt is out.

And while it may be a thrill for fans to watch Gordon drive again, anything short of a victory celebration isn't enough to keep Gordon happy.

"This whole experience is something that is one that I want to enjoy and take a little bit more lightly," Gordon said, "but I can't. It's just not in me. It's just not who I am."

pschwedelson@philly.com