Dale Earnhardt Jr. to miss rest of NASCAR season with concussion
NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the rest of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season as he recovers from a concussion, Hendrick Motorsports announced.
Hendrick Motorsports says that Earnhardt Jr. has not been cleared medically by doctors and will continue to receive treatment.
“I wish I could return to the No. 88 team this season,” Earnhardt said in a statement. “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 Jr. has missed the last six NASCAR races because of the concussion and has not driven since the Quaker State 400 at Kentucky Speedway in July.
Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will drive Earnhardt's No. 88 for the rest of the season. Gordon, a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion will drive for Earnhardt this weekend at Darlington.
- Scooby Axson
