Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not drive Sunday at Michigan or the following race at Darlington.
Hendrick Motorsports made the announcement Wednesday. Three races remain before the field of 16 is set for the Chase for the Sprint Cup, a 10-race elimination format for the series championship. Earnhardt must win a race before the Chase begins Sept. 18 at Chicagoland. After Michigan and Darlington, only the Sept. 10 race at Richmond remains.
Alex Bowman will drive for the team at Michigan and Jeff Gordon will return for the race at Darlington.
Earnhardt has spent more than six weeks recovering from concussion-like symptom.