Jeff Gordon was relaxing in the South of France, enjoying a well-deserved vacation with his wife, Ingrid.
They were only on their second day. Then he started getting texts from Hendrick Motorsports owner Rick Hendrick.
"I looked at her and said, 'Oh boy, here we go,' " he said. "I had no idea."
"Oh boy" was right. Hendrick filled Gordon in on Earnhardt, that he had concussion-like symptoms and that Hendrick wanted Gordon to drive the No. 88 at Indianapolis.
Gordon initially thought Hendrick was kidding about the driving part. He soon realized how serious the situation was.