McGehee to replace Gordon in case of rain.

Robby McGehee will replace NASCAR regular Robby Gordon should the Indianapolis 500 be delayed by rain this afternoon.

Team Menard owner John Menard tabbed McGehee to be the back-up driver for the #31 Cingular-backed Dallara-Chevrolet during Carb Day activities on Thursday at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gordon is doing double-duty, as he plans to compete in the 500 and then fly to Charlotte to race in the World 600 Winston Cup race on Sunday night. If the start of the Indy 500 is delayed until the point where Gordon has to leave Indianapolis to travel to North Carolina, McGehee will take over his ride for the day.

The Indianapolis weather forecast was for showers on Saturday night and clear weather on Sunday, but McGehee was fitted for Gordon's car on Friday just in case. The Cahill Racing regular admits that it is a long shot that he will have to replace Gordon, but also knows that the weather in Indianapolis in May is as unpredictable as the moonlight is bright on the Wabash.

"I want to thank both John Menard and Robby Gordon for selecting me," McGehee said, "It's a huge honour to be chosen by a team the calibre of Team Menard. It's unlikely that I'll get the chance to be in the car, but if they need me I'll be ready."

Gordon qualified eleventh in the field of 33 at an average speed of 229.127mph.