But being on the outside looking in has become the norm for Earnhardt.
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Jamie McMurray said those in the Sprint Cup garage miss having Earnhardt around, but the sport will continue to thrive no matter how long he may be out.
And until Earnhardt is well and normal, he will not be racing. Can he race again? “We want to be healthy and able to compete at some point”. His contract with HMS expires at the end of next season and Earnhardt, who’s suffered multiple concussions over the years, is getting married and wants to start a family. The 41-year old driver has missed the last six races due to concussion-like symptoms and was expected to miss this week’s race in Darlington and the next at Richmond. Earnhardt’s still dealing with concussion-like systems suffered following a wreck in MI back in June.
“When I first saw Dale, he was pretty sick”. “We kind of know what our boss is going through”.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. speaks to the media in a press conference during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway on July 8, 2016 in Sparta, Kentucky.
Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 auto in the twelve remaining races this season. “I was very ill, and it was hard to enjoy even the simplest activity. I’m very confident that we’re moving in the right direction in that respect”. I go to Target or somewhere and I have symptoms. Watt is feeling much better and that it “looks decent” for him to play in the season opener against Chicago on September 11.
Yes, Earnhardt said he still wants to come back to racing, thinks he has a couple of good years left and thinks he’s still an asset to Hendrick Motorsports. In the meantime, best wishes go out to Dale Jr.as he works his way back to good health.
“The second goal is Dale becoming a race auto driver again, and I’m very confident that we’re moving in the right direction in that respect”. Still there’s the lingering question of what would the Sprint Cup be like without a competitive Earnhardt regularly behind the wheel? “I don’t think it’s coincidence that since we made that decision we are starting to see a lot of progress here that I’m excited about”. Other than winning a championship, what’s there to prove? He said the fact Earnhardt has been interacting with the team – coming to the shop as well as the appearance at Watkins Glen – has had a calming effect and keeps them from constantly speculating about Earnhardt’s long-term status.
“I think that I have the passion and the desire to drive”, he said.
“I would love to be competing with my guys”, he said.
Gordon said the team has not let the potential of Earnhardt never returning to impact its week-to-week preparation. “My heart is there to continue and if my doctor says I can continue, that’s an easier decision for me to make”. He’s also being treated by Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr.
“I look up to him for what he’s doing”.
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Jeff Gordon will drive Earnhardt’s No. 88 at Darlington. The vision issues have also caused difficultly with his balance, and the two together mean he can not get in a race auto. “And so, Micky is telling me that this is possible again, and I believe it”.
