NO. 88 DRIVER SCHEDULE

Following Friday's announcement that Dale Earnhardt Jr. will sit out for the remainder of the 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season as he continues to recover from concussion-related symptoms, Hendrick Motorsports officials said that Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman would split time behind the wheel in a fill-in role.

Gordon, 45, will be the interim driver in four of the remaining 12 races this year. A four-time series champion, Gordon has driven in four races in Earnhardt's stead already this season. Bowman, 23, will handle driving duties for the No. 88 team for eight of the 10 races in the season-ending Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs. Bowman, a part-time driver for the JR Motorsports operation in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, has two fill-in starts already under his belt in 2016.

"Jeff and Alex will give us a great opportunity over the rest of the season," team owner Rick Hendrick said in a release provided by the organization. "Jeff is one of the best of all time and knows our system. He brings things to the table that no one else can. Alex is a young driver with a lot of talent, and he will give us a fresh perspective. We know they're not only capable of running up front and giving us a chance to win, but they'll help us get better."

A detailed list of who will wheel Earnhardt's No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet at each race during his absence.
NO. 88 DRIVER SCHEDULE
TRACKDATEDRIVERNOTE
Darlington RacewaySept. 4Jeff Gordon  Gordon is a seven-time Darlington winner
Richmond International RacewaySept. 10Jeff Gordon  Gordon has won twice at Richmond in his career
Chicagoland SpeedwaySept. 18Alex BowmanBowman will make his third Chicagoland start
New Hampshire Motor SpeedwaySept. 25Alex Bowman  Bowman ran well early, but had car trouble and finished 26th in his first start in the No. 88 earlier this year
Dover International SpeedwayOct. 2Jeff Gordon  Gordon is a five-time Dover winner and last won this race in 2014.
Charlotte Motor SpeedwayOct. 8Alex Bowman  Bowman will make his fifth Charlotte start
Kansas SpeedwayOct. 16Alex Bowman  Bowman's previous four Kansas starts yielded a best finish of 31st
Talladega SuperspeedwayOct. 23Alex Bowman  Bowman's second-best career finish (16th) came at Talladega in 2015
Martinsville SpeedwayOct. 30Jeff Gordon Martinsville is home of Gordon's last win, an iconic moment in 2015 that clinched his spot in the Championship Round at Homestead
Texas Motor SpeedwayNov. 6Alex Bowman  Bowman will make his fifth career Texas start
Phoenix International RacewayNov. 13Alex Bowman  Bowman finished 30th here in the spring of 2015, his best showing in four starts
Homestead-Miami SpeedwayNov. 20Alex BowmanThe season finale will be Bowman's third career start at the Miami-based track

Elliott Sadler extends Xfinity points lead after Darlington win

Elliott Sadler extended his points lead to 54 points after his victory in Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway.

Daniel Suarez remains second in the season standings. The top 26 drivers did not change positions in the points after the race.

Earnhardt’s Injury Gives Bowman A Golden Opportunity

Earnhardt is done for the year
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2016 season is over.

Hendrick Motorsports announced today that after being sidelined by concussion symptoms since July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Earnhardt will not return before the end of the 2016 campaign.

“I wish I could return to the No. 88 team this season,” said Earnhardt in a media release today. “To say I’m disappointed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career. I’m 100-percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me.

Earnhardt -- who is being treated by Dr. Micky Collins of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program as well as Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty – said today that his doctors are “seeing good progress in my test results, and I’m feeling that progress physically. I plan to be healthy and ready to compete at Daytona in February. I’m working toward that.”

Former series champion Jeff Gordon and youngster Alex Bowman will continue to share the driving duties in the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet in his absence, with Gordon running this weekend’s Bojangle’s Southern 500 at Darlington (SC) Raceway. He will also compete at Richmond, Dover and Martinsville in coming weeks. Bowman will be behind the wheel in the remaining eight races at Chicagoland, New Hampshire, Charlotte, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedways.

Team owner Rick Hendrick said he supports Earnhardt’s decision, adding, “I know how hard Dale has worked and how frustrating this is for him. He wants to be back, and we want him back, but we want it to be for the long haul. We’ve had incredible support from everyone involved with the team, including all of our sponsors. They’ve put Dale’s health first every step of the way.

“Jeff and Alex will give us a great opportunity over the rest of the season. Jeff is one of the best of all time and knows our system. He brings things to the table that no one else can. Alex is a young driver with a lot of talent, and he will give us a fresh perspective. We know they’re not only capable of running up front and giving us a chance to win, but they’ll help us get better.”

Earnhardt’s withdrawal creates a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Bowman, who has performed admirably in his two previous starts despite being unable to close the deal with an up-front finish. He was solidly in the Top-10 with 30 laps remaining in his initial outing at New Hampshire in July, before a cut left-rear tire dropped him far back in the finishing order. At Michigan two weeks ago, he qualified sixth and climbed as high as fourth before engines issues once again spoiled his day.

Now, with eight races to showcase his ability, Bowman said he feels less pressure.

“We’ll probably have a race where we struggle,” he predicted. “I hope we won’t, but every team misses the set-up from time to time. Knowing that I will be running eight of the final 12 races allows me to relax a little bit and think long-term.”

Rick Hendrick (L) has turned to Bowman
Currently entrenched in a battle of his own to make the 2016 Chase, Jamie McMurray knows what it’s like to be handed such an opportunity. The Missouri native replaced Sterling Marlin in Chip Ganassi’s No. 40 Coors Light Dodge after the series point-leader suffered a fractured vertebra at Kansas Speedway in 2003, and drove the car to Victory Lane at Charlotte Motor Speedway in only his second start.

"There's no better position to be put in, because you are in a car capable of winning,” recalled McMurray of that day. "It lets you show guys that you can run up front, if you have the right equipment.”

McMurray said Bowman has “done a really good job” in his two HMS starts this season. “To jump in and do as well as he has, (he’s) done an awesome job. He's going to get a future opportunity, because he's shown he is capable of it."

So while Bowman attempts to make the most of his relief role, Earnhardt will now focus solely on regaining his lost health, while simultaneously setting a new standard for professional athletes dealing with concussions.

"I'm sad to see he won't be in the car,” said Elliott Sadler, who leads the NASCAR Xfinity Series championship standings in a car fielded by Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports team. “As a race driver, you want to be in your race car competing.

“But on the flip side of that, I am happy and proud of him taking a step back and making sure he gets everything in line, so he will be 100 percent when the 2017 season starts. For him to be as open about it as he has been, I'm very proud of him of him for that. Not many drivers would do that. He is definitely leading by example."

Earnhardt Pulls The Plug On 2016 Season

Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2016 season is officially over.

Hendrick Motorsports announced today that after being sidelined by concussion symptoms since July 17 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Earnhardt will not return before the end of the season.

“I wish I could return to the No. 88 team this season,” said Earnhardt in a team release today. “To say I’m disappointed doesn’t begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career. I’m 100-percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me.

Earnhardt -- who is being treated by Dr. Micky Collins of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, as well as Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty – said today that his doctors are “seeing good progress in my test results, and I’m feeling that progress physically. I plan to be healthy and ready to compete at Daytona in February. I’m working toward that.”

Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will continue to share the driving duties in the No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet in his absence Earnhardt’s car, with Gordon driving in this weekend’s Bojangle’s Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He will also compete at Richmond, Dover and Martinsville. Bowman will be behind the wheel in eight races, at Chicagoland, New Hampshire, Charlotte, Kansas, Talladega, Texas, Phoenix and Homestead-Miami Speedways.

Team owner Rick Hendrick said he supports the decision, adding, “I know how hard Dale has worked and how frustrating this is for him. He wants to be back, and we want him back, but we want it to be for the long haul. We’ve had incredible support from everyone involved with the team, including all of our sponsors. They’ve put Dale’s health first every step of the way.

“Jeff and Alex will give us a great opportunity over the rest of the season. Jeff is one of the best of all time and knows our system. He brings things to the table that no one else can. Alex is a young driver with a lot of talent, and he will give us a fresh perspective. We know they’re not only capable of running up front and giving us a chance to win, but they’ll help us get better.”

Earnhardt Jr. to miss rest of Sprint Cup season

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the rest of the NASCAR season - 18 races total - as he continues to recover from a concussion.

NASCAR's most popular driver first began experiencing concussion-like symptoms in late July. He has been undergoing treatment from Dr. Micky Collins at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. He's also being treated by Charlotte neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty.

''To say I'm disappointed doesn't begin to describe how I feel, but I know this is the right thing for my long-term health and career,'' Earnhardt said in a statement Friday. ''I'm 100 percent focused on my recovery, and I will continue to follow everything the doctors tell me.''

Earnhardt said doctors have seen progress in his recovery, and he plans to be back in the car next February for the season-opening Daytona 500.

Jeff Gordon and Alex Bowman will continue to share seat time in the No. 88 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. Gordon will drive four races, including Sunday at Darlington Raceway, as well as Richmond, Dover and Martinsville. Bowman will finish the year with eight more starts.

''Jeff and Alex will give us a great opportunity over the rest of the season,'' team owner Rick Hendrick said. ''Jeff is one of the best of all time and knows our system. He brings things to the table that no one else can. Alex is a young driver with a lot of talent, and he will give us a fresh perspective. We know they're not only capable of running up front and giving us a chance to win, but they'll help us get better.''

Earnhardt has struggled with concussions before, including the 2012 season when he missed two races after suffering a pair of concussions over a six-week span.

NASCAR has been updating its focus on concussions and treatment programs, beginning in 2002 in part because Earnhardt admitted he was unable to fully concentrate or communicate with his crew chief after an accident at California. He self-diagnosed himself with a concussion, which he revealed weeks later.

NASCAR then said doctors at infield care centers could require drivers to undergo CT scans or MRIs if they suspected a concussion. Clearance to race after suffering a concussion is not given until after a driver obtains a medical release.

More than a decade later, Earnhardt also spurred a baseline testing program that is now required of all drivers every preseason.

''I know how hard Dale has worked and how frustrating this is for him,'' Hendrick said. ''''He wants to be back, and we want him back, but we want it to be for the long haul. We've had incredible support from everyone involved with the team, including all of our sponsors. They've put Dale's health first every step of the way.''

NASCAR America at 6 p.m. ET: Joe Gibbs Racing’s Darlington success, Elliott Sadler interview

Today’s episode of NASCAR America is the last preview of this weekend at Darlington Raceway before cars get on the track Saturday. The episodes airs from 6 – 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Dave Briggs hosts with Brian Vickers in Stamford, Connecticut. Steve Letarte joins them from Burton’s Garage

On today’s show:

· We’ve focused on the Chase bubble drivers entering the Southern 500, but today we’ll weigh the chances of those farther back in the Chase standings to figure out who’s capable of a season-saving win.

· All four Joe Gibbs Racing drivers have won at Darlington in the past. After a so-so weekend in Michigan, can JGR get back to their winning ways at the Lady in Black?

· Xfinity Series veteran Elliott Sadler calls into the show to talk about his chances this weekend at Darlington – and his special throwback with a connection to NASCAR on NBC’s Dale Jarrett.

· In our Social Pit Stop, Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweets about meeting a 90-year old fan, Matt Kenseth throws out the first pitch at a Phillies game, and Kyle Larson hands out school supplies to local students in Darlington, South Carolina.

If you’re not near a TV, you can watch online or on the NBC Sports app at the NASCAR stream on NBC Sports. If you plan to stream the show on your laptop or portable device, be sure to have your username and password from your cable/satellite/telco provider handy so your subscription can be verified.

Once you enter that information, you’ll have access to the stream.

Sprint Cup Chase Bubble outlook entering the Southern 500

Thanks to Chris Buescher and Kyle Larson the next two weeks will be a lot more interesting.

With Larson’s win at Michigan and Buescher’s upset in the fog-shortened race at Pocono last month, there are only three spots left to be filled on the grid for the Chase for the Sprint Cup.

At the most, two spots could potentially be filled by first-time winners in the Southern 500 or next week at Richmond.

Then comes the wrench named Buescher.

The rookie driver is only on the grid because he’s narrowly in the top 30 in points. Buescher is ahead of David Ragan by just seven points, down from 13 entering Michigan.

If the Front Row Motorsports driver falters further in the next two races, he could allow for at least four more drivers to point their way into the Chase.

Here’s a look at how the Chase bubble looks with and without Buescher in the top 30 in points.

While Buescher has said Darlington is his favorite track on the NASCAR circuit, he has not made a start there in the Sprint Cup Series. But in four starts there in the Xfinity Series, Buescher has one top five (2015).

The Southern 500 airs Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on NBC.