Dale Jr. to miss Loudon Cup race due to "concussion-like symptoms"

Hendrick Motorsports cited "concussion-like symptoms" as the reasoning.

“I wasn’t feeling great the week going into Kentucky (Speedway) and thought it was possibly severe allergies,” Earnhardt said in a release from the team. “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.”

Earnhardt is no stranger to concussions, suffering two in a matter of weeks during the 2012 season -- the first going undiagnosed. He missed two races as a result.

Alex Bowman will serve as the substitute driver in the No. 88 Hendrick Chevrolet this weekend. The 23-year-old protege of Earnhardt’s has 43 Cup starts and has run a limited schedule for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s Xfinity tour. In four NXS starts in the No. 88 JRM Chevy this season, Bowman has scored two top-fives and four top 10 finishes.  

A timetable for his return has not yet been determined. Earnhardt is currently 13th in the point standings. He has yet to win this season. Expectations for Earnhardt were high entering New Hampshire. He participated in the Goodyear tire test last month and finished fifth at the Magic Mile in this race last year.

Earnhardt has been involved in four crashes this season. Most recently at Michigan International Speedway where he completed just 61 laps before he was involved in a multi-car wreck in Turn 2.

“I’m proud of Dale for standing up,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The number-one 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 Greg (Ives) and the team, and we know they’ll do a great job.”

The 41-year-old veteran is in his 17th full season on the NASCAR Cup tour. He has 26 wins, 13 poles,148 top-five and 252 top-10 finishes in 595 starts. His best result in the standings came in 2003 when he finished third.