CONCORD, N.C. — Dale Earnhardt Jr. spoke Wednesday night with Aric Almirola about the terrifying crash at Kansas Speedway last Saturday night that left Almirola with a compression fracture on his T5 vertebra.
The back injury has sidelined Almirola indefinitely in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series – something Earnhardt can identify with after missing the final 18 races of the 2016 season because of a concussion.
Earnhardt’s main advice for Almirola, who will be replaced by Regan Smith in the No. 43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford while he’s out: don’t rush back onto the track until you’re sure you’re healed and ready.