Earnhardt now sits 13th in the points standings with eight races left in NASCAR’s regular season.
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Sprint Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., speaks to the media during a press conference at Martinsville Speedway Friday, April 1, 2016 in Martinsville, Va. Earnhardt Jr. met with reporters days after announcing via Twitter that he will donate his brain to concussion research. Alex Bowman will drive in his place in New Hampshire. NASCAR’s most popular driver, Earnhardt was involved in a 22-car wreck in Daytona this month and also wrecked last month at Michigan International Speedway.
NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said the data recorders from the MI and Daytona wrecks did not raise any immediate red flags as far as the G-forces in those accidents, where Earnhardt was able to drive away and therefore not seek medical attention. Fox Sports has completed its portion of the Sprint Cup season, and Gordon’s services as a booth analyst aren’t required for the rest of the year.
The 23-year-old Bowman has not raced in the Cup series this season and had no top-10 finishes in 71 starts over the 2014-15 seasons.
Getting to see Gordon for another race would be an unexpected treat for those making the journey to Indianapolis. BMS executive VP and General Manager Jerry Caldwell presented Gordon with “Jeff Gordon Terrace” – which is a fixed feature at the speedway. His eligibility for one of the 16 positions in this year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup upon his return, should he be in position to qualify for a spot, would be determined by NASCAR. “I tried a little too hard to begin with and made some moves and mistakes that I hadn’t made in a long time”. I think with his past…
Jimmie Johnson gave Hendrick Motorsports a needed bright spot, turning a lap of 133.971 miles per hour Friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to win his first pole of the season.
Because of Earnhardt’s initial concerns of potential sinus issues, Bowman was already on standby with the plan to replace the veteran once Earnhardt started Sunday’s race at New Hampshire, according to Duchardt.
“I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend”.
Duchardt could not say if Earnhardt actually had a concussion and declined to speculate on when he might return.
“I think this weekend he is just, per doctor’s orders, laying low like most people in these situations – minimum stimulation and just work to get better and keep activities down”. He drives part-time in the second-tier Xfinity Series for Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports team. Obviously I’m hoping Dale feels better, but at the same time, it’s the best opportunity I’ve ever had in my life.
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Duchardt said a decision will likely be made on Wednesday.
