NASCAR: Concussion symptoms sideline Earnhardt

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in New Hampshire after experiencing concussion-like symptoms. He was evaluated this week in Charlotte and was not cleared to race, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.

"I wasn't feeling great the week going into Kentucky [Speedway last weekend] and thought it was possibly severe allergies," Earnhardt said. "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.

Earnhardt had endured two wrecks in a three-race stretch from June 19 to July 2.

"I'm disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend," Earnhardt added. "I'm looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I'm ready."

Alex Bowman will drive the No. 88 Chevy. He was released by Tommy Baldwin Racing in January after a full season with the team. He races part-time for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series. 

Earnhardt missed two races as the result of a pair of concussions in 2012. The first occurred when he suffered a tire failure and crashed heavily during a test at Kansas, with the second following a few weeks later after a crash at Talladega. NASCAR introduced mandatory baseline concussion testing two years later.

Earnhardt revealed in September 2002 that he had raced with a concussion, which he sustained in the April Fontana race. 

Hendrick Motorsports does not have a timetable for Earnhardt's return; the team will provide an update next week regarding plans for the Crown Royal 400 at the Brickyard. Earnhardt is 13th in points and winless so far this season.

"I'm proud of Dale for standing up," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "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."