Fansided

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s absence may carry detrimental Chase implications

By Jennifer Chiarello

Jun 30, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during practice for the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2016; Daytona Beach, FL, USA; NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. looks on during practice for the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dale Earnhardt Jr. being out could carry some serious weight in the Chase

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will sit out the race at New Hampshire on Sunday due to concussion-like symptoms.  The length of his absence is unknown and his chances at making the Chase despite missing time are less known.

In 2012, Dale Earnhardt Jr. missed two races due to concussions. However, in 2012 there were no playoff implications for missing a race with the exception of not receiving the points for missed races.  In 2016, if a driver misses a race, he or she needs to obtain a waiver from NASCAR to continue to compete for the Chase for the Sprint Cup. After obtaining the waiver, the driver must finish in the top 30 in points, as well as have at least one win.

After the most recent race at Kentucky, Earnhardt Jr. is 14th in points, 32 above the cut-line, with no wins.  If the playoffs were to start after Kentucky, his points alone would have been enough to make the Chase.  However, now he can’t make it on points — he needs a win.

Jr.’s average 2016 finish is 15th.  At 15th, a driver earns 26 points. So in addition to needing a win, Jr. will lose an average of 26 points for every race that he misses.   Depending on how many races he sits out, these lost points could endanger him of falling outside of the top 30 in points.  Currently, he has 461 points.  30th place driver Tony Stewart has 248 points.

Jr. said “I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I’m ready.” However, neither Jr. nor anyone from Hendrick Motorsports has released a timetable for his return.

“I’m disappointed about missing New Hampshire this weekend. I’m looking forward to treatment with the goal of getting back in the race car when the doctors say I’m ready.” -Earnhardt Jr.

Concussions affect every person differently.  Recovery can take an average of 20-100 days, sometimes longer, and sometimes shorter.  Jr. has eight races and 56 days until Richmond, the last race before the Chase starts.

Sunday at New Hampshire Alex Bowman, who part-time races for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity series, will fill in for Jr.

Hendrick Motorsports announced yesterday that Jeff Gordon, who retired at the end of last season, would fill in at Indianapolis on July 24th if Jr. is still out.  However, plans after Indy are still unknown.  Could negotiations between Hendrick and Gordon put Gordon in the car long term or will young Bowman be their solution?  One of these two drivers, or a platoon of both seem to be Hendrick’s most logical choice moving forward.

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