NASCAR: Earnhardt Jr. Cleared to Race at Talladega

CHARLOTTE, N.C. September 24, 2003; Jenna Fryer writing for the AP reported that Dale Earnhardt (news - web sites) Jr. was cleared by NASCAR (news - web sites) on Wednesday to race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, where he is seeking a record fifth consecutive victory.

Earnhardt sustained a minor concussion and sprained his right foot in a wreck Sunday in Dover, Del., and NASCAR required him to undergo a thorough physical before he could be cleared to race.

Earnhardt was examined Monday by neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty and NASCAR reviewed the report Wednesday.

"My foot gets a lot better every day. I've stayed off my feet, kept ice on it, and the swelling and soreness is much less than it was on Monday," Earnhardt said. "It would take a heck of a lot more than this to keep me out of the race."

Working in Earnhardt's favor is his mastery of the 2.66-mile superspeedway, where he has won the past four Winston Cup events, as well as the Busch Series race there in April.

"Talladega is about intense mental focus, it's not a physical track like Bristol or Martinsville where your body takes a beating," he said. "I'm sure once I get in the car, this won't have an impact on me.

"I've been to the shop a few times, and the guys are making sure I'm comfortable in the car, so we will be ready to go."

Earnhardt was injured late in Sunday's race, crashing hard into the wall. He was briefly knocked out and taken to a local hospital for evaluation. He finished 37th in the race, and dropped from second to fourth in the Winston Cup standings.

NASCAR's policy of medically clearing a driver was put in place partially because of Earnhardt, who admitted last season he thought he had lingering effects of a concussion in several races.

Since then, NASCAR has required all drivers to receive written medical clearance from a doctor approved by sanctioning body before the driver can compete.