Newz Forum: AUTO: Injured Earnhardt feeling better

MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. was "feeling better" and resting comfortably at home Tuesday while the Dale Earnhardt Inc., team prepares his No. 8 Chevrolet for Sunday's race at Pocono International Raceway.

Earnhardt, still feeling severe pain from second-degree burns to his legs, neck and chin sustained in a sports car crash the previous week, drove the first 61 laps of last Sunday's race at New Hampshire International Speedway before giving up the driver's seat to rookie Martin Truex Jr.

Jade Gurss, a spokesman for Earnhardt, said Tuesday the driver hopes to drive the entire Pennsylvania 500 on Sunday, but will have veteran John Andretti -- a part-time DEI driver this season -- standing by throughout the weekend.

At New Hampshire, Truex -- driving for the first time in a NASCAR Nextel Cup event -- qualified in place of Earnhardt and crashed after taking the wheel in the race. But, he was able to race to the end, finishing 31st and helping Earnhardt remain second to Jimmie Johnson in the season points race.

Earnhardt goes into the Pennsylvania race 165 points behind Johnson and 37 ahead of third-place Jeff Gordon.


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Good to hear. You'd hate to see him lose the chance for top spot because of an injury, even though I think 1st has already been sewed up.