Earnhardt has a long concussion history, dating back to 2002, a time concussions were rarely a topic of discussion. And in that time I have learned a lot of things about dudes that like to drive fast. Any enthusiasm over Gordon’s return is trumpeted by the knowledge that it comes at the expense of Earnhardt, who is in the abyss of uncertainty of when or even if he’ll ever be able to resume driving. According to NASCAR rules, Earnhardt would have to be cleared to return to competition by an independent board-certified neurologist with five or more years of experience with sports-related head injuries in order to race again. He sat out two races in 2012 because of concussions and also suffered one in 2002.
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Earnhardt said, in a recording he made Sunday night for his weekly podcast released Monday, that he was battling balance and nausea.
Earnhardt took himself out of the auto last weekend in New Hampshire and was replaced by Alex Bowman. “So making the right decision (not to race) was out of the question”. Its going to be an emotional weekend (at Indianapolis) with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel.
Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon will come out of retirement and drive the 88 next week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway if Earnhardt does not return. Earnhardt said he felt steadily worse, believing it was allergies at first.
Fill-in drivers are nothing new in NASCAR. And traditionally concussions have always been a weird thing for athletes. He said he was doing so in light of all the recent discussion about athletes and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). That’s quite possible. Considering that Kenseth’s vehicle had passed all pre-race scrutinizing, this instance may seem like one where the rule breaking and likely penalty of losing 15 points is enough. When I was a much younger man, I had my share of concussions from auto accidents, swimming pools, wayward lug nuts and general clumsiness. Every time there is crash that disables a vehicle the safety equipment is reviewed by NASCAR officials and an investigation team at Research and Development.
Although, a word of advice to Jeff: That “one last job”? Jr, who is seeking his first title, is winless this year and has shown frustration throughout the season.
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Unlike the National Football League, there has not been a plague of injured former drivers surfacing. The mandate followed a comprehensive industry-wide education process launched by the sanctioning body in 2013. The four-time champion, who is on the shortlist of most famous racecar drivers of all time, will certainly be a boon to NASCAR, who will receive a boost in marketing the Brickyard 400. I’m pretty sure Jeff is going into Indy thinking he can and will win that race. It’s a major ding for the sport to take a guy like Earnhardt Jr. from a race. His average finish of 9.9 ranks fourth among drivers entered in this week’s race, behind only Kyle Larson (8.0 average finish in two starts), Tony Stewart (9.7) and Kyle Busch (9.7).
