Jr. Is Out in Charlotte and Kansas

Sports related concussions are getting more attention these days, all the way from Little Grizzly football into high school, college and professional sports.  Athletes are more aware of the dangers of ignoring symptoms and signs of a possible concussion.

The latest example of a professional sports competitor paying attention to concussions is Dale Earnhardt Jr. He’s had two in the last six weeks with the second coming in that final lap wreck at Talladega. He said he knew things weren’t right and got tested. Dr. Jerry Petty, a neurosurgeon who consults for NASCAR and also personally treats Earnhardt, said the driver was honest about his symptoms over the last six weeks. Earnhardt underwent an MRI on Wednesday and tests came back normal with no damage.

Earnhardt will sit out the next two Sprint Cup races at Charlotte and Kansas.  This also breaks his string of 461 consecutive starts, the fifth longest in the Sprint Cup Series.