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BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s return to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competition remains undetermined.
But if the series' most popular driver remains sidelined when the series heads to Michigan International Speedway for the Aug. 28 Pure Michigan 400 (2 p.m. ET, NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio), it will be Alex Bowman and not Jeff Gordon handling the driving duties of the Hendrick Motorsports No. 88 Chevrolet.
Gordon, who made his fourth start for the team at Bristol Motor Speedway, will not be available due to a prior commitment, according to Hendrick officials. However, the four-time series champion will travel to Michigan to support the team on Sunday.
Earnhardt is recovering from concussion-like symptoms that have kept him sidelined since July. The Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at Bristol was the fifth race he's missed.
Bowman drove for the team at Loudon, New Hampshire, following Earnhardt's initial diagnosis. Gordon took over the following week, and has competed at Indianapolis, Pocono and Watkins Glen prior to Bristol.
Bowman, 23, finished 26th in his fill-in role for Earnhardt at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Gordon, meanwhile, has finishes of 13th, 27th, 14th and 11th, respectively, in his four starts with the team.
UPDATE: The 88 team does not expect to make an announcement for Michigan until Wednesday afternoon.