#88- Dale Earnhardt Jr. indicated Friday he is feeling a little better as he battles balance issues and nausea believed to be from concussions. Earnhardt, who has been working with doctors for the past 10 days, will miss his second consecutive race this weekend. ‘Today is the 1st day in many that I sensed improvement,’ Earnhardt tweeted Friday morning. ‘Seen small gains during my physical therapy as well. Light at the end of the tunnel.’ Earnhardt was replaced by one his Xfinity Series drivers, Alex Bowman, last week at New Hampshire and will be replaced by four-time Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon this weekend at Indianapolis and next week at Pocono. There is no timetable for Earnhardt’s return.(ESPN.com)
AND: Hendrick Motorsports held a press conference Friday morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with Jeff Gordon and Rick Hendrick. A few notes:
‘¢ Gordon says he has done everything he can do to prepare for the race this weekend. Heat will a concern, but he feels ready.
‘¢ Hendrick says Earnhardt, Jr. is ‘getting antsy’ but he is going to follow doctor’s orders.
‘¢ Gordon say he ‘didn’t have to think twice’ about filling in for the team.
‘¢ Gordon has not made a commitment for any races beyond Pocono. They will wait and see Earnhardt, Jr’s status.
‘¢ Gordon was asked to fill in for Tony Stewart at Daytona, but could not do it because of his commitment to Fox.
‘¢ The biggest issue for Gordon will be to remember to pull into the #88 pit on Sunday and not into the #24 out of habit.
‘¢ Gordon had planned to drive the pace car on Sunday before the opportunity to drive came up.
