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LOUDON, N.H. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. made the decision to see a doctor, which he knew could affect whether he races again this year -- or ever.Earnhardt has suffered concussions in the past. He even missed two races in 2012 following two concussions in a six-race stretch, so the 41-year-old could be a little more aware of the dangers and symptoms of this type of injury.But even Earnhardt said as late as Tuesday that he thought the headaches and pressure he was experiencing were more likely caused by allergies or a sinus infection than a concussion. And so far, the official diagnosis is hes suffering from concussion-like symptoms, not a concussion. And he has admitted to having raced with concussion-like symptoms in the past.?Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan [on June 12] and Daytona [on July 2], I reached out and met with a neurological specialist, Earnhardt said Thursday. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.?Although his team and NASCAR applauded Earnhardt for making the decision, the questions remain: Will other drivers follow his lead if they have concussion-like symptoms, and does NASCAR need to do more?Are there other drivers who have been hit hard but are driving around New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, when they may be suffering from a concussion that should put them on the sideline with Earnhardt?NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said the data recorders from the Michigan and Daytona wrecks did not raise any immediate red flags as far as the G-forces in those accidents, where Earnhardt was able to drive away and therefore not seek medical attention.NASCAR does not have a threshold of G-forces at which a driver is required to see a neurologist. The question is, should the organization have such a rule? And should drivers who have had a history of concussions be scrutinized more after accidents?IndyCar has found its threshold for concussion is somewhere greater than 50 Gs -- and probably closer to 80 Gs. If a drivers ear accelerometer shows 50 Gs, IndyCar typically does follow-up examinations even if a driver doesnt show immediate symptoms of a concussion.NASCAR drivers dont wear ear accelerometers, and adding them to the drivers gear would require NASCAR approval because they count as an electronic recording device in the car. And NASCAR doesnt have traveling doctors like IndyCar, instead opting to have nurses travel with the circuit and rely on local physicians who meet certain criteria.That adds to the perception, whether warranted or not, that NASCAR could be doing more in situations such as Earnhardts.Drivers, often known for toughness in this macho sport, typically race hurt unless a doctor tells them they cant -- and even then, they would try unless someone else (NASCAR or the team or their family) forbids them from stepping into the car.Earnhardt told his team Tuesday that he might need a relief driver to help him get through the New Hampshire race because of the possible sinus infection, which he said he battled last weekend at Kentucky -- a week after the Daytona accident and a month after the Michigan wreck.NASCAR officials said they had no idea Earnhardt potentially had a concussion until the team informed them. Earnhardt did not inform NASCAR of the allergy symptoms he had last week at Kentucky.Hendrick Motorsports hasnt asked yet for any data from Earnhardts crashes. Team general manager Doug Duchardt said he didnt notice any difference in Earnhardt during their Tuesday competition meeting.It was Mexican [food] day, so he was in a good mood, Duchardt said. If you sat down and listened to him discuss the Kentucky race ... you would just think its no different -- [it was] the same thing every week, the way he is.While the policy is not specified in the NASCAR rulebook, Higdon said NASCAR drivers have an obligation to report any changes in medical history or diagnoses to the sanctioning body.The medical clause in the 2015 driver-NASCAR agreement obtained by ESPN.com, which drivers had to sign in order to race last year, states [I] certify that should there be any change in my health status, information or medications that I will inform the Medical Liaisons Office of such change(s) as soon as practically possible, but in no event longer than five business days of my discovery of such change(s). ?Now that Earnhardt has seen doctors and revealed a potential concussion diagnosis, NASCAR will require him to see a neurologist who has spent at least five years treating sports-related head injuries before he can be cleared to return. NASCAR requires drivers to undergo a type of neurological test called ImPACT once every two years, and that is typically used by neurosurgeons to determine whether a driver can compete.The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing is not a pass/fail test. The 20-minute test measures a range of neurocognitive functions, including memory, reaction time, attention span and other cognitive skills. By undergoing a test that shows their baseline, the drivers can then go through the test again after a potential injury so doctors can observe any changes and determine if drivers have a concussion.Defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch said concussions have not been a hot topic in drivers council meetings with NASCAR. He has not been through the concussion protocol to know the exact standards. ?Theres never been that clarity from NASCAR or from the doctors on what they think is allowed to get back in the race car and what isnt, Busch said. Thats still something Im still unknown of.?Earnhardts decision will have competitive ramifications. He is 34 points up on the current Chase cutoff, where Trevor Bayne is the first driver currently on the outside looking in. Bayne has averaged 23.8 points per race this year.?Missing more than one race could make it tough for Earnhardt to make the Chase on points, especially with his recent struggles on the track. Alex Bowman replaces him this weekend, and Jeff Gordon, if necessary, will come out of retirement next week and substitute for Earnhardt.?Its probably one of the toughest things to do. ... If I was in that position, it would be very tough for me, I would think, said Ryan Newman, who also is on the bubble to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But I dont have the past he has to know the right move. nike vapormax φθηνα . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Nike air vapormax plus skroutz .C. -- Charlotte Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said after all of these years in the NBA hes still amazed at some of the things LeBron James does. http://www.vapormaxgreece.com/nike-vapormax-flyknit-3-greece.html . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. nike vapormax γυναικεια . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. nike vapormax skroutz . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. DENVER -- This isnt out of left field -- the Los Angeles Dodgers are struggling against southpaws this season.Latest to stymie them: Tyler Anderson.The Dodgers had little success against the Colorado Rockies left-hander in a 7-0 loss during the opener of a doubleheader Wednesday.Not all that surprising, considering Los Angeles is hitting under .220 when facing a lefty. The team squandered a solid outing from Ross Stripling (3-6), who surrendered three runs over six innings.Ross pitched well enough for us to win and you know left-handed pitching has been our Achilles heel, said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, whose team was held to six hits and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.Teams going forward are going to run left-handers against us. So weve got to find a way to get guys on base and get them in.Anderson (5-5) allowed six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the NL West leaders. He also helped his own cause with an RBI single in the second in the teams first shutout at Coors Field this season.It was nice, Anderson said. Tiring, but it was good.The doubleheader was necessitated by a rainout Tuesday. Anderson actually tossed a few warmup pitches before the first inning and then a relentless downpour blanketed the area, leading to a postponement after a delay of 2 hours, 32 minutes.Colorado has taken the first two games in the series from the Dodgers. This is the fifth series the Rockies have captured from a first-place team in August. Theyre the only team in the majors with a positive run differential (plus-26) and a losing mark (64-68).Pinch-hitter Stephen Cardullo hit his first career homer in the seventh -- on his birthday, no less. The 29-year-old Cardullo spent the last few seasons playing for an independent team in New York before signing a minor league contract with Colorado in January. He joined the Rockies last week after hitting .308 with 17 homers for Triple-A Albuquerque.Andersons qquirky delivery gave the Dodgers fits all afternoon.dddddddddddd He briefly pauses before throwing to the plate.The 2011 first-round pick wiggled his way out of a sticky situation in the sixth when the lefty had runners on first and third and one out. He struck out Adrian Gonzalez -- the top daytime hitter in the majors this season -- and then fanned Rob Segedin with a changeup.Anderson trotted back out for the seventh, and left to an ovation with one out and two on. Chris Rusin bailed him out by striking out pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick.We are going out of the strike zone and there are some counts where guys are swinging at a ball out of the zone, Roberts said. That changes the sequence in the at-bat.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (mild disk irritation) had a successful outing in a simulated game Tuesday and now is in a momentary holding pattern. We havent made the decision as far as what his next progression will be, Roberts said. ... LHP Scott Kazmir (neck stiffness) will be slotted into the rotation when hes eligible to come off the DL on Sept. 7.EXPANDED ROSTERSRoberts gave an early glimpse of his plans for September call-ups. The Dodgers will add catcher Austin Barnes, righty Louis Coleman, lefty Luis Avilan -- who will serve as the 26th man Wednesday for the second game -- and righty Josh Ravin. Missing from that list is outfielder Yasiel Puig, who was demoted to the minors in early August.With Yasiel, thats still a possibility, but were trying to figure out whats best for him and whats best for us, Roberts said.UP NEXTThe Dodgers scratched lefty Rich Hill (10-3) from the start in Game 2, going with righty Bud Norris instead. The team was concerned about a blister on his left middle finger. Colorado went with righty Jeff Hoffman (0-2). ' ' '