Earnhardt Jr. has concussion, Cato-native Regan Smith to replace him

CONCORD, N.C. (AP/WSYR-TV) - Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a concussion and will sit out the next two Sprint Cup races at Charlotte and Kansas.

The injury ends NASCAR's most popular driver's championship chances this season.

Regan Smith, a native of Cato, will replace Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet in the next two events.

Last month, Furniture Row Racing hired Kurt Busch to replace Smith on the Colorado-based team in 2013.

Hendrick Motorsports says Earnhardt Jr. was diagnosed Wednesday afternoon. He sustained the concussion in the 25-car pileup on the last lap of Sunday's race at Talladega.

Saturday's NASCAR race will air at 7 p.m. on NewsChannel 9.