Photo Credit: Justin McFarland
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not compete in the next two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races as he continues to be plagued by concussion like symptoms. He will miss this weekend’s race at Watkins Glen International and Bristol Motor Speedway in two weeks.
Earnhardt continues to undergo evaluation at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. Earnhardt said on his weekly podcast on Monday he continues to have issues with balance and gaze stabilization.
Hendrick Motorsports announced today four-time Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon will continue to drive the No.88 Chevrolet in Earnhardt’s absence.
Gordon will make his 800th career NSCS start this weekend at Watkins Glen, a track where he has four career victories. Gordon is the all-time winningest driver on road courses with nine career victories.
“We have a break in the schedule after Watkins Glen, so the extra week of recovery time will certainly be a benefit,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “Dale will be back when he’s ready, and we’re looking forward to that happening, but the priority continues to be his health and well-being. We’ll keep our focus on that and let the doctors guide us.”
