NASCAR's Gordon has procedure to treat back pain

Jeff Gordon had a procedure done on his ailing back Monday and reports "it went well."

Gordon has struggled with back pain in recent years and it has gotten progressively worse.

Gordon said he had a facet block procedure Monday.

A needle is typically inserted into center of the facet joint to inject an anti-inflammatory medication. The facet joints are small stabilizing joints located between and behind adjacent vertebrae.

"I was a little sore after the procedure, but I'll definitely take that brief bit of soreness if it stops the recurring back pain I've had," Gordon said in a statement issued Tuesday. "I hope that will end the back issues I've been having, but it's too early to tell if that fixed the problem."

Gordon should find out soon. He's scheduled to participate in a karting event today for the Jeff Gordon Foundation and the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital in Concord, N.C., then practice and qualify Thursday for the Coca-Cola 600. He'll also have two practice sessions Saturday and the season's longest race Sunday.

"I'm really looking forward to the event," Gordon said. "Obviously, I want to see how my back does, but I also think we can challenge for the win."

LOOKING FOR HELP

Defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Kasey Kahne said he can't wait until the Dover race May 31 because it's the first time Richard Petty Motorsports is scheduled to use the new Dodge engine.

Kurt Busch has used the newer version to climb to third in the points for Penske Racing. Busch said the engine has played a key role in his team's turnaround.

Kahne, 16th in the points, hopes the engine can do the same for him.

"When we get the R-6 (engine) for Dover, I think that's going to be a big help," he said. "Hopefully we get that and that will... show how good our cars really are."

NEW LOOK

Jimmie Johnson will sport a new 'do this weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"I was at a friend's house for a barbecue on Sunday," Johnson said. "And his kids thought - there were a bunch of neighborhood kids - they thought it would be a great idea to shave our heads. And one of the fathers agreed to do it.

"Then once he pulled it off, he started harassing me and the kids were there and they wanted to do it so bad. It was funny. Got some great photos and the kids all had a great laugh. And what the heck, it will grow back. My wife, she couldn't look at me for like 10 minutes."

GOOD EATING

Lowe's Motor Speedway will host an invitation-only barbecue contest this weekend. Among the entrants will be Chesapeake's Wood Chicks BBQ. Competitors will begin selling their fare Thursday.

PIT STOPS

Kurt Busch will drive the same car this weekend he won with at Atlanta earlier this season.... Tony Stewart turns 38 today.... Joey Logano turns 19 Sunday, the day of the Coca-Cola 600.... Penske Racing hired Sean Powell as its head strength and conditioning coach. He worked the past eight years with the Carolina Panthers.... USARacing announced the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau has been named the title sponsor of the Pro Cup Series' third event of the season. The Hampton Virginia 250 is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start Saturday at Langley Speedway.

- Dustin Long