Although they compete against each other, many competitors took to social media to offer their best wishes to Dale Earnhardt Jr. on Friday after the announcement that Earnhardt will miss the rest of the season because of a concussion suffered in a June 12 crash at Michigan International Speedway.
Earnhardt didn’t suffer symptoms until after weeks after. He last raced July 9 at Kentucky Speedway.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Friday that Earnhardt has not been cleared to race the rest of the season. Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will share driving duties of the No. 88 car the rest of the season.
During a teleconference Friday, Joey Logano expressed his feelings about Earnhardt not being on the track the rest of the season:
“Anytime one of your fellow competitors makes news like that it’s not what we all wanted to hear, but it’s also pretty admirable that he’s been doing the right things and taking his health as priority one. I think that’s a challenge to do because I can imagine as a race car driver all you want to do it get back in the race car. When you’re sitting out watching TV and watching your car go around the racetrack without you in it is not the best therapy probably, but I look up to him for what he’s doing.
“I know how hard that is to be out and wanting to be inside that race car, but your life and your health is not worth risking that for this sport. He’s got a long ways to live, and I’d hate for him to make the wrong decision and, God forbid, something happened on the racetrack and that ruins the rest of his life. Life is more than racing, and I think he understands that. It’s awesome that he sees that, but we want to see him back in the race car as soon as possible.”
Here’s what competitors stated on social media about Earnhardt.
You will be missed @DaleJr .... Get well soon! https://t.co/hdMI8LsMz6
— Tony Gibson (@TonyOldman41) September 2, 2016
Really hate it for @DaleJr ....I know he was hoping to be back in the car before '17. Prayers for a speedy recovery https://t.co/FMDJpagi9s
— Justin Allgaier (@J_Allgaier) September 2, 2016
#TheChase won't be the same without you, @DaleJr! Focus on getting better. https://t.co/TtXX8neMs2
— FalciAdaptiveMotorsports (@FalciAdaptive) September 2, 2016
Wishing @DaleJr a full recovery. Hate not having him at the track, but having him healthy is way more important. #getwelldale
— DeLana Harvick (@DeLanaHarvick) September 2, 2016