Photo Credit: Justin McFarland
On August 24 it was announced Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the No.88 Chevrolet SS for Hendrick Motorsports, hasn’t yet been giving the green light by his doctors to race in at least two more NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events as he is still recovering from a concussion.
Junior, who is going to miss the races at both Michigan International Speedway on August 28 as well as Darlington Raceway on September 4, was further evaluated Wednesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program.
“We know how hard Dale is working to get back,” Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports stated. “He’s following what the doctors are saying, to the letter, and doing exactly what he needs to do. Everyone wants to see him in a race car, but his health is first and foremost. We’re behind him.”
Alex Bowman drove the No. 88 in Earnhardt’s absence at July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and will be in the car this coming weekend at Michigan. Bowman has four other Sprint Cup starts at the track.
Jeff Gordon will be returning to the No. 88 team Labor Day weekend at Darlington. Gordon has seven wins at the track which leads all active drivers. Gordon has also driven the last four races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pocono Raceway, Watkins Glen International Raceway and Bristol Motor Speedway in Junior’s absence with a best finish of 11th.
