NASCAR: A Timeline Of Dale Jr.’s Concussion Struggles

Looking Ahead

That brings us to today as we prepare for a NASCAR weekend in Michigan.

On Wednesday afternoon Earnhardt Jr. announced via HMS  that he would not be able to race in the next two races. That means that Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 machine at Michigan and Jeff Gordon will be back behind the wheel at Darlington.

Gordon has said on a few occasions that he will drive for the team as long as needed (pending his schedule of previous commitments). With that in mind it should be safe to assume that Gordon will be around for the majority of the rest of the season until Earnhardt Jr. is cleared.

Related Story: What If Earnhardt Jr. Is Done? A Unique Perspective

Then of course there is that ominous question that nobody wants to ask. What if Earnhardt recovers but can’t drive again? While this is not the place to delve into that conversation, that is something that those in Junior Nation need to at least be aware of (the above link takes a unique look at that question).