On Friday morning, Earnhardt Jr. officially announced that he would miss the remainder of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. Jeff Gordon will drive for Earnhardt at the Southern 500 later Sunday. Each type requires a specific type of treatment.
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Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the (88) National Guard Chevrolet, climbs out of his vehicle after qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013 in Dover, Delaware. Earnhardt has done rehabilitation activities and had hoped that he would be cleared to return to racing this season.
Ocular or eye movement problems, moving one’s eyes in tandem.
After experiencing gradually worsening concussion-like symptoms dating to a wreck at Michigan International Speedway in June, Earnhardt sought medical help and exited the auto under doctors’ advice for the July 17 event at New Hampshire.
– Stress. “I feel very strongly the right decision was made to take Dale out of racing, so we can focus on getting him better and reduce the stress that is associated with that”, Collins said. He will continue to drive for Earnhardt at Darlington, Richmond, Dover and Martinsville.
“Stress and concussion don’t get along well and we see stress can really exacerbate and worsen things”, Collins explained. “When I first saw Dale, he was pretty sick”.
Earnhardt said his improvement has meant he can get out of the house more, although it is still stressful for him. “I think we’re all positive this is the right thing for him”.
That will go down as Earnhardt’s most lasting impact on the sport, far more important than his two Daytona 500 victories or those other 24 career wins, or even the impressive feat of making a name for himself in a sport still dominated by the towering presence of his late father, a seven-time Cup champion. He also noted he was now completing all of his sponsor requirements and appearances.
“I enjoy it. I have an incredible team and a great owner”.
Earnhardt is working daily on exercises to improve his vision and balance. “I certainly feel the same way”, Earnhardt said. “But I’ve got to put myself through those situations for that to sort of correct itself”.
Crew chief Greg Ives said the motivation for the Hendrick No. 88 team comes from wanting to run well.
Earnhardt’s symptoms, while serious, seem minor to the brain injuries that Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip says he endured in 1983.
Earnhardt doesn’t consider retirement an option.
“[Retirement] is not something I think about”, he said Sunday at Darlington.
“I don’t know that any of us knew what to expect or how that was going to go, but I don’t know how to say that and to be, like, correct. If my doctor says I’m physically able to continue, that’s an easier decision for me to take”. I’m as good as I’ve ever been inside the vehicle.
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The 10-race Chase for the Championship starts September 18 at Chicagoland Speedway. “Getting normal and having a good quality of life going forward is the first goal”.
