NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is "out of Sunday's race in New Hampshire with concussion symptoms," and there is no "timetable for Earnhardt's return" to the Sprint Cup Series, according to Rick Bonnell of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Earnhardt's No. 88 Chevy will be driven by Alex Bowman this weekend. Earnhardt was first "evaluated by doctors this week in Charlotte," and he was "not cleared to drive Thursday in a follow-up appointment with a neurologist." Earnhardt has a "history with concussions" -- he missed two races in '12 -- and has been in recent crashes at Michigan and Daytona. He confirmed in April that he will "donate his brain for medical research into concussion effects" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/15). NBCSN's Jeff Burton said Earnhardt stepping out of the car is "big for the sport," as that is "not how it worked in the past." The understanding of concussions and their long-term ramifications has "opened a lot of people's eyes, and a guy like Dale Jr. stepping up and doing this is a big deal. It shows kids that are playing soccer, it shows kids that are playing football, whatever they are playing, that it is okay to step up and say, 'Hey, I am hurt.'" NBCSN's Ray Evernham said, "Years ago, with the way the points system was, you were almost forced to get back in. So I kind of applaud what NASCAR has done with this Chase system and giving these passes if you're hurt so you don't have to run all the races" ("NASCAR America," NBCSN, 7/14).
HEALTH MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHASE: Richard Petty Motorsports Dir of Research & Development Drew Blickensderfer noted Earnhardt currently is "on the bubble" of making the Chase, but he "knows his health is more important." Blickensderfer: "Not only is he doing a great thing for NASCAR and for other drivers to go through, but ... for sport in general. Baseball players, football players, boxers, everybody needs to take a look at what Dale Jr. does." FS1's Andy Petree said, "If you are somebody else that is kind of hanging on to his career, he is going to be very hesitant to come up and step up like Dale Jr. has. I really have to admire what he has done and he is setting a good example." FS1's Adam Alexander: "The game has changed in professional sports. Because of the awareness of concussions, drivers, athletes are making better decisions" ("NASCAR Race Hub," FS1, 7/14).
SHOULD EARNHARDT RETURN? USA TODAY's Jeff Gluck notes when Earnhardt's latest concussion symptoms subside, he will "have to give returning to the car -- in the short term or long term -- very serious thought." Gluck: "Is it worth the risk to get back in the car and face the possibility of another concussion?" No one in NASCAR is "ready to even think" about the "possibility of stock car racing without Earnhardt in it." But the "first priority" must be Earnhardt's health, and "nothing else comes close." Fans will want to "see him back on the track as soon as possible" and they will want to see him race "for years to come." But the reality is "no one can outrun an injury like this" (USA TODAY, 7/15).
SUPER SUB WAITING IN THE WING: ESPN.com's Bob Packrass notes Jeff Gordon will "return to the racetrack" next week at Indianapolis if Earnhardt has not recovered in time. Hendrick Motorsports Exec VP & GM Doug Duchardt said that a "decision would be made by Wednesday." Gordon won the inaugural Brickyard 400 in '94 and "has run in every Brickyard race since" (ESPN.com, 7/15). Duchardt "would not speculate on if Gordon would stay in the car if Earnhardt remains sidelined for more races" (USATODAY.com, 7/15).
