DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. returned to Sprint Cup success after a concussion in 2012. Hes betting hell do it once more in 2017 and beyond.Earnhardt spoke Sunday at Darlington Raceway, two days after he and Hendrick Motorsports announced the sports most popular driver would end his season as he continues recovery from concussion-like symptoms after a crash at Michigan in June.Earnhardt, wholl turn 42 next month, has heard people say he should walk away as his recovery continued.I have the passion and desire to drive, Earnhardt said. My heart is there to continue and if my doctor says I can continue, thats an easier decision for me to make.Dr. Micky Collins, medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Concussion Program, also treated Earnhardt four years ago.Seeing his response to treatments has been very positive. So I am positive that we are going to get Dale back to being a race car driver, Collins said. Im very excited about that prospect.So are many in the Sprint Cup garage and the stands.Earnhardt stopped by to see his team preparing the No. 88 Chevrolet as fans in the pit area snapped pictures and wished him well. For Earnhardt, such interactions fuel his recovery -- one he expects to be complete in time for next Februarys Daytona 500.I havent put a lot of thought into the future until I get well, Earnhardt said. My heart wants me to continue and be working with the guys I got.Im only 41, Earnhardt continued. Ive got some good years left. I think Im as good as Ive been inside the car. I feel like Im still an asset to the team and to the company.Earnhardt has not raced since Kentucky, missing the past five races. Jeff Gordon will drive for Earnhardt at the Southern 500 later Sunday.Earnhardt acknowledged the difficulty seeing others in his seat or going to debriefing meetings at the race shop. I feel like a distraction, he said.His balance, vision and anxiety and mood have all improved since the diagnosis earlier this summer, both Earnhardt and Dr. Collins said.Earnhardt has attended sponsor functions and performed routine activities of daily life without too many bobbles, although he did say that he feels best when seated on the couch and can see a dropoff when he leaves to drive to the store or walk around a race track.It gives me the confidence this is going in the right direction, he said.Earnhardts confidence also comes from the treatment after a crash at a test session in Kansas four years ago left him concussed. He missed two races, but won later that season in Michigan. Since his previous concussion, Earnhardt has won eight of his 28 career Sprint Cup races in seasons hes called some of the very best of my career.Earnhardt reached NASCARs championship Chase all four seasons and Dr. Collins has told him similar success is possible going forward. I believe it, Earnhardt said.Car owner Rick Hendrick said the sponsors have unanimously backed Earnhardts cautious, get entirely well approach without squawking. Were excited about the progress. Were excited about him getting back in the car, Hendrick said. I can see how taking the pressure off the team, the pressure off him, the pressure off the sponsors and lets just have a plan.Earnhardt said part of the plan is once hes cleared to drive race cars, hell get to a race track and test his skills. Hes spoken with NASCAR, who gave their backing to an individual test to reacquaint himself with racing.Earnhardt remains confident that hes got great years ahead.Rick likes to say weve got unfinished business and I certainly feel the same way, Earnhardt said. Weve got races to win.Riley Ridley Womens Jersey .S. Open champion Justin Rose birdied the first hole with a blind shot he hit to a foot of the pin, and he stayed in front Tuesday until he completed a 4-under 67 for a two-shot lead over Jason Dufner in PGA Grand Slam of Golf. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Jersey . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. https://www.bearssportsgoods.com/Womens-David-Montgomery-Inverted-Jersey/ . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. Richard Dent Youth Jersey .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Dan Hampton Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play.Team Northumbria earned their first Netball Superleague win of the season against Yorkshire Jets on Monday night.The 48-44 result condemned the visiting Jets to a fifth consecutive game of the new campaign without their first victory.A closely fought and physical encounter was neck-and-neck for long periods until the fourth quarter when the Jets slowly fell away, allowing Northumbria to run down the clock. The scores were level at 12-12 at the end of the first quarter, while Northumbria owned a two-goal lead at half-time. Northumbria edged into a 37-33 lead with 15 minutes left and were able to keep their noses in front.Player-of-the-match Tuaine Keenan and Lynsey Armitage were particularly impressive performers for the hosts who rose to sixth in the eight-team Superleague, with Jets and Celtic Dragons beneath them. Shanice Beckford impressed for Team Northumbria Jamaican pairing Shanice Beckford and Nicole Dixon also found their feet for Northumbria with a threatening, attacking display.dddddddddddd.Im really proud we could absorb the pressure and come through with the win, said Keenan.We werent as much of a unit as perhaps we could be [in previous weeks]. We worked on being a better team and working together so that when were in these tight matches we can push through and pull it out for each other.We did our homework and knew they had a lot of options on the bench. But we created a defensive structure that could handle whatever they put on.Also See:Vitality Superleague fixturesTableLive on SkySportswomen ' ' '