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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. gave every indication that he has plenty to race for beyond his recovery from concussion-like symptoms in a wide-ranging media availability Friday at Watkins Glen International. Retirement, it appears, will have to wait.
That point was underscored when he revealed that he had been in career-extending contract negotiations with team owner Rick Hendrick before being sidelined from NASCAR competition by his most recent episode of brain trauma.
Earnhardt, who will miss his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series race this weekend, said Friday that the intent was to honor his current contract, which runs through the 2017 season, and that he had met with the longtime team owner approximately two months ago with the goal of extending it. “That’s the direction we are going,” Earnhardt said, “as soon as I can get healthy and get confident in how I feel and feel like I can be great driving.”
Hendrick Motorsports general manager Doug Duchardt said Friday that returning Earnhardt to proper health has taken priority over any contract talks.
“I think really what’s on hold is just getting his health back and then, there’s no question, our feelings for Dale and, I think, his feelings for us and I think when the time is right we’ll address all that,” Duchardt said. “But right now I think the No. 1 focus is getting him feeling better.”
Any contract talks would focus on 2018 and possibly beyond, but for the time being, the plans for the No. 88 Chevrolet are not nearly as large in their scope. Alex Bowman was a last-ditch substitute driver for Earnhardt on July 17 at New Hampshire, and four-time series champ Jeff Gordon emerged from retirement as the No. 88’s interim driver in the two races that followed (Indianapolis, Pocono).
Duchardt said Friday that as previously announced, Gordon would substitute for Earnhardt in this Sunday’s Cheez-It 355 at the Glen (2:30 p.m. ET, USA, MRN, SiriusXM) and in two weeks at Bristol Motor Speedway. Beyond that, there are no further contingencies set in stone.
Gordon, who has finished 13th (Indy) and 27th (Pocono) in his relief efforts, mentioned last week that he would be available as a fill-in for as long as necessary. Duchardt said the team would re-assess the driver status for the No. 88 after Earnhardt Jr.’s next doctor’s examination.
“It’s just when he feels better, his name is still over the door of the car and he’s going to go back in that car,” Duchardt said. “And so there’s no other agenda other than that. I think Jeff’s done a great job. I think he helps the team as far as helping them maintain momentum and continue to grow. He helps the other three drivers. When we get into debriefs, because he knows all the personalities involved, he knows the crew chiefs involved, he can ask and prod and probe to the different guys and they’re all used to that and they know him, so I think it not only helps the 88, it helps the whole organization when Jeff’s there. It’s just a natural fit.”
Friday marked Earnhardt’s first trip to the track since his diagnosis with concussion-related symptoms was revealed July 14. After meeting with the media, Earnhardt said he was eager to chat with Gordon and his No. 88 crew, which has been steadfast in keeping his name over the car’s door and windshield.
Duchardt had his own chance to reconnect with Earnhardt on Friday morning, catching up on all things NASCAR and then some.
“My conversations with Junior are usually wide-ranging, from race cars to the fantasy football league we run … which is coming up,” Duchardt said. “My three hours with him this morning was just like my normal three hours with Junior any other time. For me, that was great. I missed him. I missed having those conversations and the sense of humor and all that stuff. I’m anxious to get him back, if not selfishly, to be back and interacting with him on all that stuff.”
