NASCAR mailbag: What’s next for Dale Earnhardt Jr.?

A week ago the mailbag focused almost exclusively on the apprehension fans were feeling about whether Dale Earnhardt Jr.‘s summer slide would knock him right out of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Seven days later those concerns seem silly with the stunning news late last week that NASCAR’s most popular driver is out indefinitely due to concussion-like symptoms.

It’s not surprising then that the latest installment of the NASCAR mailbag is again Earnhardt-centric, except this go-round the subject matter carries a more serious tone with less definitive answers.

With Earnhardt’s history of concussions and his age do you think he may not return at all?

--Aaron

The only definitive information we know is that Earnhardt is suffering from nausea and a loss of balance, which began after two crashes within a four-week span; he will miss at least the next two races; and in his absence Jeff Gordon is driving the No. 88 car Sunday at Indianapolis and July 31 at Pocono. Everything beyond that is purely speculative.

Head injuries are not something that one can nor should rush back from. If anyone knows this, it’s Earnhardt, whose knowledge of concussions likely exceeds anyone within the sport.

Ultimately, factors beyond Earnhardt’s control -- his doctors and his body -- will have a larger voice in what transpires next. If he’s not medically cleared to race, then it makes no difference what the 41-year-old wants. His decision will be made for him.

I don’t really know what to add to what’s already been said about the concussion stuff, so I thought I’d ask about Junior’s Chase hopes and whether it’s even realistic he can get in if he were to come back soon?

--Lynn

Even if Earnhardt misses only three races and returns Aug. 7 at Watkins Glen, a sixth consecutive playoff berth is going to be tough. Coming back then would put him in an unrecoverable points deficit, requiring he win one of the remaining regular season races at either Watkins Glen, Bristol, Michigan, Darlington or Richmond to get in.

It’s not an impossible task by any means, though one made more challenging considering Hendrick Motorsports’ current state. Organizationally the team is lacking speed in its cars and hasn’t had a top-10 finish in the past three races -- its longest drought since 2000 -- and the communication issues that have hampered Earnhardt and crew chief Greg Ives this season won’t be resolved if Earnhardt is sidelined.

But if you’re looking for hope that Earnhardt could still qualify, witness Tony Stewart’s out-of-nowhere June victory at Sonoma. Yes, the three-time Cup champion had been running better in the weeks leading into the Northern California road course, but few expected Stewart, who hadn’t won a race in over three years, to suddenly emerge as a contender.

Yet, that’s exactly what happened.

It’s not far-fetched to think Hendrick sorts itself out over the next few races, and by the time Earnhardt returns, he has much improved cars underneath him. Plus, considering points are now irrelevant, he can aggressively pursue wins through various strategic means.

But again, the championship is secondary right now, with Earnhardt’s health the No. 1 priority.

Why does Jeff Gordon need to sub? I wish Hendrick would have asked someone else to fill-in. Alex Bowman did a good job, so let him drive so Gordon doesn’t have to return and sully all the great memories from last year.

--Ryan

Nothing wrong with not wanting to see Gordon stage a mini-comeback, a sentiment which has been expressed by a few on social media. Although it didn’t culminate in a fifth Cup title, how he seemingly closed out his storied career did have a bit of magic -- from the Martinsville win that clinched a spot in the championship, featuring an excited Gordon jumping up and down in victory lane like a kid on Christmas morning, to all the festivities surrounding the season finale at Homestead, to Tom Cruise’s surprise cameo at the awards banquet.

Why would Gordon risk damaging these memories? Because he’s a company man with great loyalty to team owner Rick Hendrick, who provided him with a breakthrough opportunity at NASCAR’s highest level and ensured that Gordon never lacked the necessary resources to remain competitive. While he may gain some personal satisfaction racing again -- especially at Indianapolis, a track he absolutely adores -- this decision is more about helping a longtime friend and mentor out of an unexpected bind.