Photo Credit: Justin McFarland
One of the sport’s biggest stars will be out of a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series seat for the New Hampshire 301 this weekend.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr. will be forced to miss this weekend’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway due to concussion-like symptoms he had been feeling after a race at Daytona International Speedway two weeks ago.
“I wasn’t feeling great the week going into Kentucky (Speedway) and thought it was possibly severe allergies,” Earnhardt said. “I saw a family doctor and was given medication for allergies and a sinus infection. When that didn’t help, I decided to dig a little deeper. Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan and Daytona, I reached out and met with a neurological specialist. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.
“I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I’m ready.”
Hopping aboard the No. 88 in Earnhardt’s place at New Hampshire will be part-time JR Motorsports driver Alex Bowman. Bowman last raced full-time in the Sprint Cup Series last year for Tommy Baldwin Racing, but was replaced by Regan Smith at the beginning of the 2016 season.
This isn’t the first time Earnhardt’s been plagued by concussion issues. He missed two races near the end of the 2012 season after a hard crash at Talladega Superspeedway left him with a concussion. Regan Smith raced in his place for those two events.
Hendrick Motorsports hasn’t given a proper timetable yet for Earnhardt’s return, and wouldn’t comment on whether he would be able to race in next weekend’s race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
