Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gives Heartbreaking Health Update

Kevin Liles/US Presswire

For the third week in a row, Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be sitting on the sidelines instead of behind the wheel of his No. 88 race car. The NASCAR driver has been recovering from concussion-like symptoms that have forced him to take a temporary hiatus from racing. 

Earnhardt tweeted an update on his condition Saturday morning prior to this weekend’s practice at Pocono. The tweet stated that there has been no change in his condition during the last week.

Update: No change lately. Symptoms have plateaued over the last week. Balance/Gaze Stabilization are only issues. Docs preaching patience.

— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) July 30, 2016

The news came as a huge disappointment to Earnhardt’s fans who are anxious to see him back on the track. It is unclear when Earnhardt will be cleared to race again, but from the sound of things he and his doctors are taking it a week at a time.

Fellow NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon came out of retirement to drive No. 88 for Earnhardt for the last three weeks. It is unknown if Gordon will be driving next weekend at Watkins Glen. When asked about it, Gordon stated that he is committed to being there for Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

“I’m not speculating anything at this time. I wouldn’t be here in Pocono if I wasn’t committed to be there for Hendrick Motorsports and this team in any way that they need me,” Gordon said. “First of all you want Dale to have the comfort of knowing that somebody is there for him. He doesn’t have to worry about that aspect of it through this process. Just get well at the pace that is the right pace to do it. So, nobody is putting any pressure or time frame on that. He may be putting that on himself more than anybody else.”

We continue to wish Dale Earnhardt Jr. a full and speedy recovery.