Comments today make it clear he wants to continue to race several more seasons but what if recovery continues to go slow? He will speak to the media again before the race. “Your life and your health is not worth risking for the sport”.
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Earnhardt’s doctors specifically want to see Earnhardt get to a point where he can “withstand the normal forces of a race vehicle driver”, a feat that doctors say is in the foreseeable future. “I’m trying to focus and get well and normal”.
Dr. Micky Collins, medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program, has treated Earnhardt four years ago and now.
Earnhardt endured a concussion in the Fontana race in April 2002 but did not disclose the injury until September while continuing to race. The track tested the current package during last year’s race, so Gordon already knows what to expect.
“When I first saw Dale, my goal was to see Dale become a human being again and I can tell you with confidence that is occurring in front of our eyes”.
As for Earnhardt, he told reporters he felt like his recovery is going well but is far from complete.
Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman, who have been filling in for Earnhardt, will continue to do so for the remainder of the season.
Earnhardt, speaking prior to the Southern 500, said “I definitely don’t belong in a race auto today”. Dale has been able to perform a number of routine activities associated with typical daily living without very many complications or hiccups along the way. He was going to miss one more this weekend at Darlington.
“I don’t think there is any other way you could have gotten Jeff Gordon back in a race auto other than helping out the organization and helping Dale”, Hendrick said. The second goal is Dale becoming a race auto driver again.
“Riding in a vehicle or walking to gain stability is starting to improve, which was a major relief for me because that was probably the most hard thing to deal with because it was there 24 hours a day”. My thoughts and consideration (on driving) are on the back burner until I really see I feel normal. “I’m very confident we are moving in the right direction”. Still there’s the lingering question of what would the Sprint Cup be like without a competitive Earnhardt regularly behind the wheel? Other than winning a championship, what’s there to prove? Earnhardt said it was good being at the track and seeing familiar faces and being with his team members.
“I have the passion and the desire to drive”, he said Sunday. “I enjoy it”, he said. “I hope I can put that with a result that this team deserves”. “My heart is there to continue and if my doctor says I can continue, that’s an easier decision for me to make”. Jerry Petty, a Charlotte-based neurosurgeon who frequently treats NASCAR drivers. He saved the best for fiancée Amy Riemann, speaking with obvious affection of her help in pushing him through his treatment. In Earnhardt’s absence, four-time Cup Series champion Gordon, 45, filled in at Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Bristol.
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“We want the best for him”. “The only time you run into problems with concussions is when they are not managed appropriately and that’s what we’re doing with this one”.
