Earnhardt will miss Sunday’s Sprint Cup Series race at Michigan International Speedway, as well as the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday. Earnhardt was evaluated by doctors at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Doctors have noted his progress, but he’s still not ready to resume racing action.
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Jeff Gordon, driving for injured Dale Earnhardt Jr., makes his way around Bristol Motor Speedway during practice for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Friday, Aug. 19, 2016 in Bristol, Tenn. Gordon has filled in the last four race weekends for Earnhardt.
“Obviously we’re wishing Dale a quick recovery and hope he gets back in the vehicle soon”. He could not be there all weekend, but will arrive for the Sunday race to support Bowman and his former Hendrick teammates.
Earnhardt, 41, will sit out at least the next two races – this weekend at MI and the following weekend at Darlington, S.C. – before he undergoes another evaluation. “He’s following what the doctors are saying, to the letter, and doing exactly what he needs to do”.
He reasserted at a press conference two weeks ago that he meant to return to the series and honor his contract with HMS – which runs through next season – but said timetables were premature until he was healthy.
Earnhardt Jr. has been out his sprint vehicle for the past five races due to having concussion-like symptoms that kept him out from racing. Bowman substituted for the two-time Daytona 500 victor at New Hampshire for the first week. He hadn’t felt right, he said, for a while before halting his season after the Kentucky race.
“I’m just so glad to be here with HMS and I hate that it’s under these circumstances”, Bowman said.
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In two of the races, Gordon was able to finish in 13th at Indianapolis and 14th at Watkins Glen.
