Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has Concussion, Will Miss Next Two Races - East Idaho News
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Has Concussion, Will Miss Next Two Races

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Getty S 101112 NASCAR%20Crash?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1349963156407Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR(CONCORD, N.C.) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the next two Sprint Cup races due to a concussion. Earnhardt Jr. suffered a concussion after last weekend’s 25-car crash during the final lap at Talladega Super Speedway.

“It’s not safe, wrecking like that,” Earnhardt Jr. said after last Sunday’s race.  “It’s ridiculous, it’s blood thirsty if that’s what people want, I mean that’s ridiculous.”

Hendrick Motorsports says Earnhardt Jr. was diagnosed Wednesday afternoon. 

Earnhardt Jr. suffered a concussion earlier in the season at Kansas Motor Speedway but chose not to get it checked out.

“You know how your body is and you know when something’s not quite right,” said Earnhardt Jr. on Thursday of his latest concussion.  “I knew as soon as it happened that I had reinjured myself.”

Earnhardt Jr. currently sits 11th in the points standings and will miss stops at Charlotte and Kansas. This most likely ends Earnhardt Jr.’s chances for this year’s championship with only four races remaining if he were to return after Kansas.

“If I get myself time to get healed up I can race for as long as I want to race,” Earnhardt Jr. said when asked about how long he’ll be out.  “That’s my objective.”

Regan Smith will replace him in the No. 88 car. 

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