Dale Earnhardt Jr. was hoping to return this season after suffering a concussion earlier this year, but as symptoms persist, he and Hendrick Motorsports have decided not to push it.
On Friday morning, Earnhardt Jr. officially announced that he would miss the remainder of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
“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 Jr.’s concussion is believed to have occurred in a June crash at Michigan International Speedway, but he then proceeded to compete in three more races before finally taking a seat.
In Earnhardt Jr.’s absence, he had been replaced by recently retired four-time series champion Jeff Gordon, who took the wheel for races at Indianapolis, Pocono, Watkins Glen and Bristol.
For the remainder of the season, both Gordon and Alex Bowman are expected to split time in Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88, with Gordon taking over this weekend at Darlington Raceway.
For Earnhardt Jr., this is the second time in his racing career that a concussion has ended his season early.
