After missing 18 races last season due to a concussion, NASCAR's most popular driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., returns to racing with the first Daytona 500 practice of Speedweeks. Earnhardt, whose contract with Hendrick Motorsports will expire after this year, wants to make sure his healthy first before signing a new one.
According to a report from The Denver Post, Earnhardt's average during his fastest lap was at 192.670 mph, while ranking 11th on the speed chart. He raced for four hours and had nine laps at the Daytona International Speedway.
The report said that Earnhardt wants to get the events of last year become a "distant memory." He adds he's just trying to "put as many laps" as he can behind him.
"It will be good to get in the car and get some good wins and good finishes under our belt this season, Earnhardt said. "That is our plan."
The health concern that plagued the popular driver last season has raised speculation about his future in racing. But now that he's back, he wants to put his medical issues behind him.
Despite getting back on the racetrack, the 42-year-old driver doesn't want to risk his health by putting his career first. Ron Clements of Sporting News reports that wants to be "confident" about his health first before he signs a new contract.
Earnhardt said that he told Rick Hendrick that he wants to have several races and experience several months of racing before he can be confident with his health. He adds that he doesn't want to make a promise that he can't deliver, so making sure he is healthy is the priority.
Clements said that Earnhardt, though, is still not giving up on racing. He said that the driver just wants to be sure that his body can "withstand the wear and tear of driving." Check out Earnhardt's interview in the video below after qualifying for the Daytona 500.
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