Top Stories of 2016, #12: Dale Jr. sidelined, Jeff Gordon returns

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 2016 season started off on a high note. He won the Xfinity race at Daytona as an owner and started third for the Daytona 500 after winning his Duel race.

Unfortunately, he crashed out of the 500 late in the going while in contention, and Victory Lane continued to elude him in the weeks that followed, scoring runner-up results at Atlanta and Pocono. Following his great performance at the Tricky Triangle, a crash at Michigan set him the chain of events that pushed him out of the No. 88.

After three more races, he stepped away after being diagnosed with concussion-like symptoms. It was not the first time he was forced out of the car due to concussions. His absence allowed young Alex Bowman on opportunity to showcase his talents in one of the best cars in the field, but during a press conference prior to his debut in the car in New Hampshire, an even bigger news item was dropped.

Hendrick Motorsports revealed that Jeff Gordon would come out of retirement and compete in the Brickyard 400, marking the first time he would drive something at the Cup level other than his iconic No. 24. He wound up doing six races in total, scoring two top finishes and ending his career (again) with a sixth-place finish at Martinsville. His surprise return et up a touching moment at Indianapolis where he and the soon-to-be retired Tony Stewart did an impromptu lap together after the race.

Bowman filled the void for the remaining races and turned a lot of heads, falling just short of victory in the at Phoenix after starting from pole position.

Despite missing the last half of the season, Earnhardt was still voted the Most Popular Driver for the 14th consecutive year. Doctors officially cleared him to make his return in the 2017 Daytona 500 after a private test at Darlington Raceway in December.