CONCORD, N.C. -- Sprint Cup points leader Jeff Gordon cut short his practice because of back spasms and the No. 24 team has Regan Smith on standby should the four-time champion not be able to run the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night. Gordon went just 11 laps Saturday before he told his crew he couldnt continue. He left out of a side door of his hauler and was escorted out of the track to get treatment. Crew chief Alan Gustafson said the team would not run the car in the final practice session and instead will get it ready for Sundays race. "Ive had some spasms in the past, but this one, it was a little bit different," said the 42-year-old Gordon. "And so I just want to really be cautious and take care of it. It doesnt do me any good to be in the car right now." Gustafson said the plan was for Gordon to start the longest event in NASCAR. Should the pain be too much, then Smith would take over the Hendrick Motorsports car. Gustafson said Gordon felt back pain after qualifying Thursday night and had hoped things would improve before Saturdays practice sessions. But "after the first run, we talked about it and it was pretty detrimental to him physically to continue," Gustafson said. Gordon said on Twitter he planned to rest and "be ready for 600 miles 2moro." The four-time series champion is having one of the steadiest starts of his career with eight top-10 finishes in the first 11 races. Gordon moved into the points lead following a second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway in early April and hes stayed out front ever since. He cemented his place in the Sprint Cups championship Chase two weeks ago with a victory at Kansas Speedway. Gordon will start 27th and hope his back holds out for 400 laps around the 1.5-mile race track. "Luckily, we had a good 11 laps there and weve got our teammates and information that were going to be able to gather from them," Gordon said. "Its all coming together very fast right now." Gordon has had back spasms in the past and even considered retiring because of the severe pain. Regular treatment has kept the pain mostly in check and Gustafson hopes that will be the case again for Sunday. Doctors "will get him in the best condition he can and get him ready to run tomorrow," Gustafson said. This weeks race marks the 20th anniversary of Gordons first Sprint Cup victory. His crew chief then, Ray Evernham, said Gordon is much tougher than some believe and has raced through illness and pain before. "We won the Southern 500 (at Darlington) when he started throwing up halfway" through the race, said Evernham, currently working for Hendrick Motorsports. Evernham said Gordon believes his car is ready and is being smart by not hurting himself further by practicing. "Hell do everything he needs to do to get to feeling good and I know him and tomorrow night in that car, he may need some help getting out of it, but when hes in it, hes going to be at 100 per cent," Evernham said. Reggie Jackson Jersey . The 10-horse field of 3-year-old pacers will leave the starting gate at approximately 10:14pm et. Co-owned and trained by David Menary, Hes Watching will be driven by Tim Tetrick and is the 5-1 fourth selection in the field. Ian Kinsler Jersey . The veteran fighter will be squaring off with Henderson in a five-round lightweight bout as part of another network televised card at the United Center on Saturday night. http://www.angelsteamshop.com/Angels-Mike-Trout-Kids-Jersey/ . The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday. Custom Los Angeles Angels Jerseys . Rasmussen didnt have a decision during his four appearances in May, when he gave up two hits and no runs in two innings. Toronto used five relievers while pulling off the second-biggest comeback in franchise history on Friday night, rallying from an 8-0 deficit to a 14-9 win. Martin Maldonado Jersey . Vargas (8-3) allowed four singles and two walks while striking out five, allowing only two runners from a diluted Twins lineup to reach second base. Mike Moustakas and Jarrod Dyson hit RBI singles in the second inning against Kevin Correia (4-10), and that was all Vargas needed.CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cam Newton will see his first game action since undergoing ankle surgery in March when the Carolina Panthers host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night. Just how much hell play remains to be seen. Panthers coach Ron Rivera expects Newton to play at least a quarter, but said its possible the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback could see additional action. He said that will depend on how well the offensive line protects and if Newton can control his competitive urges to take off and run when pressured in the pocket. "If were playing well, doing good things and the offensive line is shoring up, well continue with him into the second (quarter)," Rivera said. "If not, weve got to be smart about this and make a decision." Newton has been practicing all week and even ran some read option. But Rivera said the Panthers wont be running the read option during the game. Nor does he want his quarterbacks adrenaline taking over and having him running all over the field. "He cant help himself because he loves to compete and he wants to win," Rivera said. "That is one of the things that is of concern — that hell get out there and he may see something, he may go from a three to a seven (in terms of effort) and the next thing you know hes out there doing his thing. Thats just who he is. Hes very competitive." The Panthers want Newton to avoid a setback before the regular season opener against Tampa Bay. "Each day its been getting better and better for me," Newton said. "At this point, we dont want to have any mishaps in the treatment process.dddddddddddd" Newton said hes doing what he can for a healthy return for the regular season. "The thing that keeps coming back up is, Keep treating it. Treat it when it feels good and treat it when it feels bad. Dont be that guy that only treats it when its nagging. Try to stay ahead of the pain," Newton said. "Thats what Ive been doing. Its been paying off." Rivera said some starters will play into the third quarter. Rivera is treating this game like the third preseason game because the Panthers have a short week coming up as they prepare for New England next Friday. This also will be the first chance for Newton to play with rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who has been his top target during training camp. The Panthers are hoping Benjamin fills the void left by veteran Steve Smith, who was released this past off-season. The Chiefs are looking for answers at wide receiver, too. Dwayne Bowe is expected to anchor their receiving corps, but he will miss the first regular-season game because of a suspension for violating the NFLs substance-abuse policy. Junior Hemingway is emerging as a big slot receiver and DeAnthony Thomas has the talent of a playmaker. Donnie Avery, Kyle Williams, A.J. Jenkins and Frankie Hammond Jr. are also competing for playing time and all would benefit from a good showing against the Panthers. ___ AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in Kansas City, Missouri, contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFLWholesale MLB Orioles JerseysRed Sox Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Yankees Jerseys OnlineRays Jerseys For SaleBlue Jays Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB White Sox JerseysIndians Jerseys For SaleTigers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Astros JerseysCheap Baseball Angels JerseysAthletics Jerseys From ChinaMariners Jerseys For SaleCheap Baseball Rangers JerseysBraves Jerseys For SaleDiscount Marlins Jerseys OnlineDiscount Mets Jerseys OnlinePhillies Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Nationals JerseysCubs Jerseys From ChinaDiscount Reds Jerseys OnlineBrewers Jerseys From ChinaWholesale MLB Pirates JerseysWholesale MLB Cardinals JerseysDiamondbacks Jerseys For SaleRockies Jerseys For SaleDiscount Dodgers Jerseys OnlineDiscount Padres Jerseys OnlineGiants Jerseys For Sale ' ' '