“It was Mexican day, so he was in a good mood. If you sat down and listened to him discuss the Kentucky race … you would just think he was no different”. Earnhardt must be cleared by an independent neurologist before he can climb back into the No. 88.
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Earnhardt told his team last weekend at Kentucky Speedway he wasn’t feeling well – he thought he had severe allergies – and finished 13th. When medication for allergies and a sinus infection failed to work, Earnhardt dug deeper and met with a neurological specialist.
“I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend”, Earnhardt said in a statement Thursday night. He’s reportedly suffering from concussion-like symptoms after a series of wrecks last month at Michigan International Speedway. “After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out”. It is unknown when he would be fit to return to competition.
Jeff Gordon could come out of retirement next weekend to race the Brickyard 400 if Dale Earnhardt Jr. isn’t recovered from concussion symptoms in time for the race. Duchardt would not speculate on whether this is a career-threatening issue. “We will obviously be thinking about contingency plans, but we don’t have anything formalized for sure past Indy”, he said.
This weekend’s race will mark the second time Earnhardt has been sidelined by a concussion or concussion-like symptoms. NASCAR mandated in 2013 for drivers to submit a baseline neurocognitive assessment. NASCAR has paid much closer attention to concussions and drivers’ health in recent seasons.
Earnhardt, who suffered two concussions in 2012, isn’t going to be rushed back into action.
“…I think he had to make a decision for himself and for his family that was probably the right decision”. “He knew he wasn’t feeling well and had concerns about being in the vehicle and running the whole race”.
“The beginning of previous year, I didn’t expect the changeover to JGR… it was a bigger deal than I expected”, Edwards said on Friday afternoon at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
“That would be our expectation that the driver is prepared and able to compete in our sport”, he said.
Earnhardt is 13th in points and has yet to win this season.
“I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race vehicle when the doctors say I’m ready”, Earnhardt said.
Gordon, the four-time Cup champion who retired after the 2015 season, is available for driving duties as his stint as a television analysis ended when Fox Sports’ portion of the schedule ended.
Gordon tweeted he was in France this weekend, which him ruled him out for a potential return at New Hampshire. If Dale is not able to go at Indianapolis, we will put Jeff Gordon in the auto.
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“And so, basically, less than 24 hours ago we found out that Dale couldn’t run”.
