Dale Earnhardt Jr. recovering from stomach virus, waves off relief driver for big race at Indy
Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (above) starts third in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Allstate 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. // David Griffin, NASCAR Scene
INDIANAPOLIS - Hendrick Motorsports driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he is feeling better after battling a stomach virus for the past couple of days and will not need a relief driver in Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Although he initially said that Brad Keselowski would take some laps in preparation to be on standby for Sunday's race, the young driver did not make it to Indianapolis in time for practice.
Keselowski, who drives for Earnhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series, remained at nearby O'Reilly Raceway Park for Nationwide qualifying.
Earnhardt Jr. did practice his car Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but said that he felt "miserable" doing so. He has taken intravenous fluids to help him overcome any dehydration issues, though, and seems confident he can run the full Allstate 400 Sunday.
Earnhardt Jr. says he fell ill Thursday and battled the stomach virus and a fever until yesterday morning.
"I came here and got a couple of IVs early in the afternoon," he said. "It was a 24-hour bug. I broke my fever about 8 o'clock yesterday morning, fever came back last night but I broke it again … Probably get some more fluids this afternoon after practice, but I feel tons better.
"That stomach virus was the worst thing I've ever experienced in my life. … I'm not a very big fan of stomach viruses now. I feel better and [am] not really worried about - I feel fine and I feel like I've got enough energy and everything, the only thing I'm worried about is dehydrating."
Keselowski planned to take a few laps to be eligible as a relief driver. Since he was unable to do so, NASCAR officials would have to rule on whether or not he could drive the car, if needed, Sunday. A NASCAR official said that, in most instances, it would not be permissible for Keselowski to take over the driving duties. He is driving a limited Cup schedule with Hendrick and Phoenix Racing this season and has already won his first Cup race, at Talladega Superspeedway.
Earnhardt Jr., though, doesn't think he'll be needed.
"I doubt we'll do that," he said. "I just want to [give him practice laps], basically, just to be safe."
