Final year of the Indy-Charlotte double?

Future Indy 500s may be started later in the day

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Robby Gordon is ready -- again -- for double duty.

He was at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday for two practice sessions for the Coca-Cola 600, then planned to fly to Indiana later in the day to begin preparations for the Indianapolis 500.

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"I think we're good," Gordon said. "Everything as far as the timelines go, is all set up. We haven't missed a NASCAR practice all month or been late for any driver's meetings. Hopefully, we won't be late for the driver's meeting here Sunday."

If he is, Gordon will be forced to start from the rear of the field; he qualified 20th.

This might be the last year he can attempt the Memorial Day weekend double. Officials at ABC have discussed the possibility of pushing the starting time of the Indy 500 back by a couple of hours to help with TV ratings.

If that happens, the chance of anyone competing in both races is diminished.

"It would mess it up, but it is what it is," Gordon said. "I think that would be a mistake on the IRL's side because then Tony Stewart or myself would never be able to come over and compete.

"It would get them better TV ratings. But if they had drivers like Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart there, their ratings would probably go up as well."