He’s going to be away from the track for another few weeks.
Hendrick Motorsports announced in a press release on Wednesday that doctors have not yet cleared Dale Earnhardt, Jr. to return to racing action in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
That mean Alex Bowman, who previously filled in for Earnhardt in his first missed race earlier in the season, will drive the No. 88 at Michigan International Speedway this weekend, while Jeff Gordon will return to the driver’s seat for the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
“We know Dale is working hard to get back,” team owner Rick Hendrick said in a press release. “He’s following what the doctors are saying, to the letter, and doing exactly what he needs to do. Everyone wants to see him in a racecar, but his health is first and foremost. We’re behind him.”
No further time table was given for Earnhardt’s ongoing recovery.
Bowman has four prior Sprint Cup Series starts at the 2-mile oval, with a best finish of 26th coming in 2014.
Gordon’s return at Darlington will be the 36th start of his career at the historic South Carolina speedway. His seven wins are the most of all active competitors in the Sprint Cup Series. Gordon has filled in the last four race weekends for Earnhardt.