Gordon to Replace Earnhardt in Next Two Races

BY ESPN

Jeff Gordon will replace Dale Earnhardt Jr. for at least two more weeks as Earnhardt continues treatment for balance, sight issues and nausea resulting from a concussion.

The four-time Sprint Cup champion came out of retirement to replace Earnhardt at Indianapolis and Pocono the past two weeks and will again replace Earnhardt this weekend at Watkins Glen and then the following race Aug. 20 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Earnhardt has missed three races -- Alex Bowman replaced him July 17 at New Hampshire -- and does not have a timetable for his return.

He said on his "The Dale Jr. Download" podcast Monday he has some days when his balance is better and then there are moments when it is not. He said he believes it has to do with a lack of gaze stability.

"The gaze issue and the problem with my eyes being able to fix on an object at a great distance and stay there with head movement -- that is the problem. When I move my head, I lose the object that I am trying to target," Earnhardt said. "That is hand-in-hand with the balance."

Earnhardt underwent further evaluation Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program and took to Twitter to say doctors were encouraged with his progress later Tuesday.