Gluck: Dale Earnhardt Jr. knows dangers of concussions
The news that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss Sunday's race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway carries major implications for Earnhardt's season.
Yes, missing time might cost Earnhardt a spot in the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But that's hardly the most important story here.
What really matters is what this means for Earnhardt's future.
It's frightening to think that this current situation — in which Earnhardt said he is experiencing concussion-like symptoms — was brought on by wrecks that seemed, at least to outsiders, relatively innocuous. In a statement released by Hendrick Motorsports, Earnhardt cited crashes at Michigan International Speedway and Daytona International Speedway as possible causes of the head injury. Those are two of the fastest, most dangerous circuits on the Cup schedule.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. to miss New Hampshire race with concussion symptoms
I spoke with Earnhardt before and after last week's race at Kentucky Speedway. Both times, there were no obvious signs he wasn't feeling well.
And that's exactly why concussions are so scary. The science surrounding them has improved, but it's still inexact. Fortunately, after his experience with two concussions in 2012 — when he sat out two races — Earnhardt knows his body well enough to understand something wasn't right — and to err on the side of caution.
But even when these latest symptoms subside, the 41-year-old will have to give returning to the car — in the short-term or long-term — some very serious thought. Is it worth the risk to get back in the car and face the possibility of another concussion? That will be up to him to decide, and the decision probably won't be easy.
He loves racing. NASCAR's most popular driver and the son of an icon, Earnhardt has won plenty of races on NASCAR's top circuit (26) and his legacy is secure. He is engaged to Amy Reimann and has talked about getting married and perhaps starting a family one day.
The days and weeks ahead are scary. No one in NASCAR is ready to even think about the possibility of stock car racing without Earnhardt in it.
But the first priority must be Earnhardt's health. Nothing else comes close.
Concussions aren't like a broken bone that can heal and be as good as new. Just look at the NFL and its issues related to CTE; the more hits, the worse the potential outcome.
Earnhardt is well aware of this. He's led the way on concussion awareness in NASCAR since his injuries in 2012, even pledging to donate his brain for science earlier this year.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. will donate brain for research
But given his extensive knowledge and the communication he's had with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's concussion program, Earnhardt must be alarmed at this latest turn of events.
All drivers realize the danger head injuries can pose, particularly since there's not even a conclusive way to diagnose them.
In NASCAR, retired driver and current TV analyst Ricky Craven and Michael Waltrip, who still races at restrictor-plate events, are among the drivers who have dealt with concussions -- at least the ones who speak openly about it.
IndyCar driver Will Power was held out of that series' season opener this year with concussion-like symptoms that turned out to be an inner ear infection. But doctors and officials would rather play it safe when making such calls.
A severe concussion led to four-time IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti's premature retirement in 2013 after a crash in Houston; he couldn't afford to risk another head injury after a history of hard hits.
These factors, and many more, will play into what Earnhardt has to deal with in the immediate future and beyond.
There's no other driver who comes close to Earnhardt's popularity. His legion of fans, Junior Nation, has the population of some small countries.
Selfishly, the fans will want to see him back on track as soon as possible. And they'll want to see him race for years to come.
So does NASCAR. So does the media (after all, he always offers great insight and a genuine feel).
Alex Bowman will replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. at New Hampshire
But the reality is no one can outrun an injury like this. An athlete can't tough it out like a sprained ankle. And Earnhardt is too smart to try.
Whether he returns anytime soon or not, the bottom line is this: It's harder to imagine that Earnhardt will race into his late 40s today than it was yesterday.
That's difficult to accept, because NASCAR already said farewell to Jeff Gordon last year and is giving Tony Stewart a sendoff in a few months.
Of the big-personality superstars, who is left? Earnhardt.
More drivers will come along. But there's never been anyone quite like Junior, and the prospect of seeing him hang up the helmet eventually got a little closer to reality Thursday.
Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck
