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Dale Earnhardt Jr., sidelined since early July by concussion-like symptoms, will be at Watkins Glen International on Friday as NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams begin preparations for Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at The Glen.
The Hendrick Motorsports driver will not be back behind the wheel of the familiar No. 88 Chevrolet but he is scheduled to meet with members of the media at noon ET Friday. The event will be live streamed on NASCAR.com.
Press Pass: Stream Earnhardt Jr.’s interview Friday at noon
It will be his first appearance at a track since he finished 13th at Kentucky Speedway on July 9. Five days after that race, HMS officials announced he had not been cleared by doctors to return to competition.
Alex Bowman handled the driving duties for the team the following week at New Hampshire. Jeff Gordon, four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and winner of 93 Sprint Cup events, took over at Indianapolis and Pocono, and will remain the team’s driver this weekend at The Glen as well as at Bristol on Aug. 20.
Gordon, who retired from competing after the 2015 season, has nine career road-course victories, including four at The Glen. Sunday’s race will mark career start No. 800 for the 45-year-old.
MORE: Gordon through the years
Earnhardt’s continued absence from the car was announced Aug. 2. Team owner Rick Hendrick said missing the Watkins Glen race, followed by an off-week for the series “will certainly be a benefit.”
“Dale will be back when he’s ready, and we’re looking forward to that happening, but the priority continues to be his health and well-being,” he said. “We’ll keep our focus on that and let the doctors guide us.”
Earnhardt has fallen from 13th to 20th in the series points standings. He has yet to win this year, meaning if he returns before the start of this season’s Chase for the Sprint Cup, he would need either a victory or the points necessary to earn a berth in the 10-race playoff.