ping into a Brighton team that racked up 89 points in the Champion

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will not race again this month because of concussion-like symptoms and the No. 88 car will be turned over to trusted former teammate Jeff Gordon for the next two weeks.Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday that Earnhardt has not yet been cleared to drive by doctors and will miss Sundays Brickyard 400 as well as next weekends race at Pocono. NASCARs most popular driver has been battling balance issues and nausea since a July 2 crash at Daytona.Earnhardt pulled himself out of the car last weekend in New Hampshire and was replaced by Alex Bowman. After another medical evaluation Tuesday in Pittsburgh, doctors told Earnhardt to take more time off.Our focus is giving Dale all the time he needs to recover, team owner Rick Hendrick said. Theres nothing we want more than to see him back in the race car, but well continue to listen to the doctors and follow their lead. Whats best for Dale is whats best for Hendrick Motorsports and everyone involved with the team. Were all proud of him and looking forward to having him racing soon.While retirement talk for the 41-year-old Earnhardt might be premature, his history of concussions is clearly a concern. He had two in a six-week span in 2012 and missed two races. The latest symptoms surfaced after a mid-June crash at Michigan International Speedway and the wreck at Daytona. Earnhardt said he felt steadily worse, believing it was allergies at first. A neurological specialist later confirmed Earnhardt had sustained a head injury.Ive struggled with my balance over the last four or five days, and I definitely wouldnt have been able to drive a race car this weekend, Earnhardt told fans in a recording made Sunday night. I made the decision I had to make.A team spokeswoman said Earnhardt will not take questions this week or next and that Gordon is not expected to speak publicly until Friday in Indy.The move comes at a time that Hendricks powerhouse team has been out of sync. Its drivers have been shut out of the top three finishing spots in four consecutive races. Hendrick is now turning to Gordon, the four-time NASCAR champion who retired at the end of last season. Hes a five-time winner at the Brickyard, which has struggled with sluggish ticket sales in the lead up to Sundays race at a track that is just a short drive away from his childhood home in Pittsboro, Indiana.Gordon has not competed since retiring after the 2015 season finale.Brickyard organizers had billed last years race as Gordons last ride on his home track. They were wrong.The 44-year-old Gordon will get one more chance to become the first driver to reach victory lane six times at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He also counts a record six wins at Pocono among his 93 career Cup victories, all with Hendricks team.Jeffs a team player, Hendrick said. I know hell be ready, and I know Dale has incredible trust in him. Its going to be an emotional weekend (at Indianapolis) with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel. (Crew chief) Greg (Ives) and the team did a great job at New Hampshire, and they have the full support of our organization.Gordon steps into Earnhardts No. 88 Chevrolet at a time when Axalta, a longtime primary sponsor of Gordons, is scheduled to sponsor four of the next five races for Earnhardt. He will be racing against his much more familiar No. 24 car, which Chase Elliott drives.That will be a really weird feeling because the only car he ever drove was the 24, Fox Sports commentator and three-time Cup champ Darrell Waltrip said Wednesday. To climb in another car and compete against your old car -- I cant imagine what that must feel like, but its probably one of those surreal, out-of-body experiences.Not having Earnhardt in Sundays starting lineup also will be odd. The North Carolina resident has started every Brickyard since 2000.But even without one of NASCARs top drivers, Indiana fans will have two storied drivers to watch -- Gordons comeback and what is supposed to be Tony Stewarts grand finale on his home track. Stewart, a three-time Cup champ and two-time Brickyard winner, plans to retire at the end of this season.We wish the circumstances were different, but were thrilled anytime we see Jeff Gordon on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and know our fans will love seeing him race again, speedway President Doug Boles said. Between Jeff making a return visit and Tony Stewart making his final Brickyard start, this will be a legendary weekend for Hoosier race fans at IMS!Oilers Jerseys China . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Al Hamilton Jersey Large . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. http://www.customoilersjersey.com/ . It was the second consecutive win for the Pacers (2-5), who lost their first five preseason games. Jeff Teague led the Hawks (1-5) with 17 points and eight assists and Al Horford had 12 points and seven rebounds. Mike Scott scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half. Custom Al Hamilton Jersey .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Cheap Custom Oilers Jersey . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.Ian Holloway gave his Football League play-off semi-final first-leg predictions, tipping a draw at Valley Parade on Sunday.Portsmouth and Plymouth kicked off the schedule with a thrilling 2-2 draw at Fratton Park on Thursday, while Sheffield Wednesday beat Brighton 2-0 on Friday night and Hull won 3-0 at Derby on Saturday.Meanwhile, Barnsley saw off Walsall 3-0 and Tom Beeres last-minute winner gave AFC Wimbledon a 1-0 advantage going into their second leg against Accrington Stanley. Bradford v Millwall, League One (Sunday from 12pm on Sky Sports 1 HD)I fancy Millwall strongly to win the play-offs.Neil Harris is leading a fresh young team into a new era and hes done a brilliant job. They probably could have done with avoiding Bradford in the play-offs as theyre a dangerous outfit at Valley Parade and have only conceded one goal there in the last seven games. I fancy Millwall strongly to win the play-offs. Neil Harris is leading a fresh young team into a new era and hes done a brilliant job Ollie on Millwall However, over two legs, Millwall should have enough firepower in Lee Gregory and Steve Morison to get the job done. A draw here would be a great result for the Lions.OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)Ollies earlier predictions...AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley, League TwoHow unlucky were Accrington last weekend? All they needed was a win to go up but they drew 0-0 and hit the crossbar three times. Highlights of the Sky Bet League 2 semi final 1st leg between Wimbledon and Accrington. It would be a fantastic story if they were to see the job via the play-offs - their fans deserve a Wembley day out.Saying that, AFC Wimbledons fans also deserve a huge amount of credit to stick with their team during some dark days. This will be a cagey game as AFC dont concede too many. OLLIE PREDICTED: 1-1 - RESULT: 1-0Barnsley v Walsall, League OneThis has all the credentials for a wham-bam game! Goals galore.Both teams will be full of confidence. Barnsley sensationally hammered the champions last weekend while Walsall scored some absolute screamers as they dismantled Port Vale. Highlights of the Sky Bet League 1 semi-final 1st leg between Barnsley and Walsall. I do feel sorry for Walsall, though - a bit like Brighton, theyve had a fantastic season but just fell short despite amassing a big total of points.Sam Winnall has bagged 22 goals this season for Barnsley and I feel he has to be at his clinical best if Barnsley, who have had a strange yet sensational season, are to really trouble Walsall over two legs. OLLIE PREDICTED: 2-2 - RESULT: 3-0Derby County v Hull City, ChampionshipI was worried about Derbys mentality earlier this season, but theyve turned a corner in that regard. On their day, they can wipe the floor with anyone.This is a tough test for Hull, who Im shocked didnt finish in the top two. They have relied on Abel Hernandez to score their goals this season - no one else has chipped in regularly - and they have slippeed up in too many winnable games.dddddddddddd Highlights of the Championship play-off semi-final between Derby and Hull at the iPro Stadium. Both these teams have unbelievable talent on show. This game could be any scoreline if there is an early goal, especially now George Thorne is missing for Derby. He gives his back four plenty of protection.In their last seven league games, both teams have scored a total of 28 goals. I fancy a thriller here with Derby just edging it.OLLIE PREDICTED: 3-2 - RESULT: 0-3Sheffield Wednesday v Brighton, ChampionshipSheffield Wednesday have had a fantastic season and have a free shot at this now. I always love the underdog and will be delighted for them to defy the odds, although Brighton deserve to go up.Hillsborough will be rocking and rolling, the locals will be right up for this and their team will be able to play with the shackles off. Highlights of the Championship play-off semi-final between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton at Hillsborough. However, they are bumping into a Brighton team that racked up 89 points in the Championship - a total usually more than enough to go up with.How will they overcome last weekends disappointment? Thats the key question.Brighton will probably be looking to keep this tight then get them down to the Amex on Monday. But Ive got a sneaky feeling Wednesday will give their home fans something to shout about. Home win.OLLIE PREDICTED: 2-1 - RESULT: 2-0Portsmouth v Plymouth Argyle, League TwoDerek Adams will be making sure his Plymouth boys remain positive. Despite their recent slump, they have had a magnificent season. Highlights of the League Two play-off 1st leg between Portsmouth and Plymouth at Fratton Park. Three more strong performances is all thats required - I hope they do it.Their first job at Fratton Park will be to silence the home crowd, who will be buzzing for this. If they achieve that, then I fancy an away win. OLLIE PREDICTED: 1-2 - RESULT: 2-2Also See:FL72 PodcastBurnley ready to spendFL play-offs: Who, when, where?Holloway: How to win the play-offs ' ' '