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In the release, the team said Earnhardt was evaluated this
week in Charlotte (N.C.) and on Thursday was not cleared by
physicians to race. Alex Bowman will be the team's substitute
driver this weekend at New Hampshire (1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN).
"I wasn't feeling great the week going into Kentucky (Speedway)
and thought it was possibly severe allergies," Earnhardt said.
"I saw a family doctor and was given medication for allergies
and a sinus infection. When that didn't help, I decided to dig a
little deeper. Because of my symptoms and my history with
concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan and Daytona,
I reached out and met with a neurological specialist. After
further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.
"I'm disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I'm
looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in
the race car when the doctors say I'm ready."
A timetable for Earnhardt's return is still unknown.
Bowman raced fulltime in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2014
and 2015, with a best finish of 13th at Daytona in July of 2014.
He has competed in four NASCAR XFINITY Series races this season,
all with Earnhardt's JR Motorsports race team.
This is the second time Earnhardt has pulled himself from
competition for concussion-related issues. In 2012, he missed
two races during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup after a
wreck at Talladega Superspeedway.
"I'm proud of Dale for standing up," said Rick Hendrick, owner
of Hendrick Motorsports. "The No. 1 priority is his health, so
we're going to give him all the time he needs. We completely
support the decision by the doctors and will be ready to go win
races when he's 100 percent. In the meantime, we have full
confidence in (crew chief) Greg (Ives) and the team, and we know
they'll do a great job."
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