Daytona race could cause clash at home
A four-time Daytona winner, NASCAR Monster Energy Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. may not have exactly closed the door on racing at the Florida restrictorplate track although he has announced that he is retiring at the end of the season, but his wife sure has.
Despite Earnhardt’s desire to continue racing in future Daytona 500s and in the 2018 Clash, an inviteonly exhibition race at Daytona in February, Amy Earnhardt did not give her blessing based on the potential risk of another concussion, which caused him to miss the final half of last season.
“I’ve received many comments on Dale Jr. running the 2018 Clash, based on whether or not I give my blessing,” Amy wrote on Twitter. “Considering his struggles last fall with his injury, we are very blessed that he is now healthy, happy and able to enjoy his final season… and hopefully many years beyond racing. So my answer is simple. It’s not worth the risk of his health.”
With Earnhardt’s history of concussions, it’s concerning to see him put in dangerous situations that could be avoided. Amy explained on a podcast earlier this month that the couple “got into an argument” about it because he’d be very recently retired.
“So, if you get an invitation in the mail, it’s nice, right? If you get an invitation to a wedding or a party, you’re like, ‘Oh, cool. Somebody thought to include me,’ ” Earnhardt explained about wanting to drive in The Clash on his podcast. “And that’s kind of like what getting the pole and getting the opportunity to run The Clash is like. It’s like getting an invitation. You may not want to go to the party, but you’re upset if you don’t get the invitation.”