Dale Earnhardt Jr. will certainly not be racing at Brand-new Hampshire as a result of “concussion-adore symptoms.” (Rainier Ehrhardt/Getty Images)
Hendrick Motorsports has actually announced that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will certainly not race at the upcoming NASCAR Sprint Mug Collection event at Brand-new Hampshire Motor Speedway as a result of concussion-adore symptoms.
Hendrick Motorsports released a statement saying Earnhardt was not cleared to race by physicians.
“I wasn’t feeling excellent the week going in to Kentucky [Speedway] and believed it was possibly major allergies,” Earnhardt said in the statement. “I watched a family physician and was offered medication for allergies and a sinus infection. As soon as that didn’t help, I decided to dig a little deeper. Due to my symptoms and my history along with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan and Daytona, I reached out and met along with a neurological specialist. After further evaluation, they felt it was finest for me to sit out.
“I’m disappointed concerning passing up Brand-new Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment along with the target of obtaining spine in the race Auto As soon as the doctors state I’m ready.”
[Dale Earnhardt Jr. plans to donate his brain for concussion research]
Alex Bowman will certainly be Hendrick Motorsports’ alternative driver in the No. 88 Chevrolet on Sunday.
No timetable for Earnhardt’s return has actually been established. Yet on Friday, Hendrick Motorsports overall manager Doug Duchardt said a decision concerning next weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway would certainly the majority of most likely be gained by Wednesday.
If Earnhardt remains out, Jeff Gordon will certainly be driving the No. 88 at Brickyard. Yes. You read that right.
“If Dale is not able to go at Indianapolis, we’ll position Jeff Gordon in the car,” Duchardt said throughout Friday morning’s press conference.
Gordon is an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports and retired after the 2015 season.
But Earnhardt’s the majority of most likely visiting be careful. This is his fourth documented time along with a concussion or concussion-adore symptoms. His initial came in 2002. In 2012, he had 2 concussions in 6 weeks.
“You can’t (ignore) concussions,” Earnhardt said in 2012. “It’s actually dangerous performing that.”
Earnhardt missed 2 races in the Hunt spine in fall 2012 along with a concussion as well, after crashing at Talladega in a 25-Auto pileup in the last lap.
“I’m proud of Dale for status up,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports in a statement. “The number-one priority is his health, so we’re visiting offer your man all of the moment he needs. We forever sustain the decision by the doctors and will certainly be prepared to go gain races As soon as he’s 100 percent. In the meantime, we have actually complete self-confidence in Greg (Ives) and the team, and we understand they’ll do a excellent job.”
Earnhardt is currently sitting 13th in the Sprint Mug Collection Standings along with 461 points. Stewart-Haas’ Kevin Harvick leads the standings along with 599 points.