CUP: Junior Probably Returning At Martinsville

Sprint Cup

CUP: Junior Probably Returning At Martinsville

Dale Earnhardt Jr. scheduled for track test Monday…

Mike Hembree | Posted October 21, 2012 Kansas City, KS

Dale Earnhardt Jr. , driver of the No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Chevrolet, smiles in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Good Sam Roadside Assistance 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. (Photo: Getty Images)

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s vacation from NASCAR probably will be very brief.

In an odd turn of events, team owner Rick Hendrick told reporters at Kansas Speedway Sunday morning that Earnhardt Jr. would return to his car next weekend at Martinsville but entered the track’s media center in the afternoon to clarify those remarks.

Hendrick originally said Earnhardt Jr. would not run a track test but then said later that he will drive at Gresham Motorsports Park in Georgia Monday before being examined by Dr. Jerry Petty Tuesday for final approval to race at Martinsville.

“I kind of got ahead of myself,” said Hendrick, who apologized to reporters. “I’ve been scolded severely.”

But Hendrick said he will be “shocked” if Earnhardt Jr. is not in the car next week at Martinsville.

Earnhardt Jr. was sidelined for two races because of the after-effects of concussions. Regan Smith has been the 88’s substitute driver.

“Everything is great,” Hendrick said Sunday morning. “He can’t wait to get back in the car. He’s anxious, and we’re anxious to get him back. We’re excited to get him back.”

Doctors recommended that Junior sit out at least two races after he experienced discomfort following a last-lap accident Oct. 7 at Talladega Superspeedway. Junior revealed that he had suffered a concussion in a crash during tire tests at Kansas in late August but had continued to drive in subsequent races.

Several drivers who had experienced concussions voiced opinions that Earnhardt Jr. should sit out the rest of the season to have more time to relax and recover. Having missed two races, he has little chance to advance in the Chase standings.

Mike Hembree is NASCAR Editor for SPEED.com and has been covering motorsports for 30 years. He is a six-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Writer of the Year Award.

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