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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Not Competing In 2016 Season With Signs Of Possible Concussion
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NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not return to competition during the remainder of the 2016 season as he continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms.
Kendrick Motorsports officials made the announcement Friday morning, saying that Alex Bowman and four-time series champ Jeff Gordon would split time in the No. 88 Chevrolet for the remaining 12 races of the season. Gordon is scheduled to drive the No. 88 as Earnhardt's replacement this weekend at Darlington Raceway.
"I wish I could return to the No. 88 team this season," Earnhardt said in a release provided by the team. "To say I'm disappointed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career. I'm 100 percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me. They're seeing good progress in my test results, and I’m feeling that progress physically. I plan to be healthy and ready to compete at Daytona in February. I’m working toward that."
Earnhardt has missed the last six Sprint Cup Series races with lingering concussion-like symptoms. According to his Hendrick team, Earnhardt has undergone regular evaluations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program under the direction of Dr. Micky Collins and with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty.
Earnhardt will address the media Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Darlington Raceway, site of Sunday's Bojangles' Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET, NBC/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM). He will be joined by team owner Rick Hendrick and Dr. Collins from the Pittsburgh Medical Center.
A crash at Michigan International Speedway in June is believed to be the cause of Earnhardt's injury. While the impact of the Lap 62 incident was significant, Earnhardt said afterward that "it wasn’t too bad, actually."
Originally reported by NASCAR.
Kendrick Motorsports officials made the announcement Friday morning, saying that Alex Bowman and four-time series champ Jeff Gordon would split time in the No. 88 Chevrolet for the remaining 12 races of the season. Gordon is scheduled to drive the No. 88 as Earnhardt's replacement this weekend at Darlington Raceway.
"I wish I could return to the No. 88 team this season," Earnhardt said in a release provided by the team. "To say I'm disappointed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career. I'm 100 percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me. They're seeing good progress in my test results, and I’m feeling that progress physically. I plan to be healthy and ready to compete at Daytona in February. I’m working toward that."
Earnhardt has missed the last six Sprint Cup Series races with lingering concussion-like symptoms. According to his Hendrick team, Earnhardt has undergone regular evaluations at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program under the direction of Dr. Micky Collins and with Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty.
Earnhardt will address the media Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET at Darlington Raceway, site of Sunday's Bojangles' Southern 500 (6 p.m. ET, NBC/NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM). He will be joined by team owner Rick Hendrick and Dr. Collins from the Pittsburgh Medical Center.
A crash at Michigan International Speedway in June is believed to be the cause of Earnhardt's injury. While the impact of the Lap 62 incident was significant, Earnhardt said afterward that "it wasn’t too bad, actually."
Originally reported by NASCAR.
