s Helton criticizes driver, promises change in policy

? Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was the pole-sitter for Sunday’s Protection One 400, joked before the race that “even at 80 percent, I’m better than half the guys out here.”

But Earnhardt’s self-proclaimed talent doesn’t give him special privileges.

NASCAR president Mike Helton said Sunday the league is taking measures to keep drivers with concussions off the track, a response to Junior revealing earlier in the week that he drove in several races while unable to completely communicate with his crew chief.

Doctors at infield care centers may make drivers undergo a CT scan if they think they may have a concussion, Helton said.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said Sunday’s Protection One 400 winner, Jeff Gordon. “If you can’t clear a CT scan, you don’t need to be out there in a race car.”

Helton said if the CT reveals a concussion, a driver would not be able to compete until he receives medical clearance.

CART, the Indy Racing League and the NFL already have similar provisions in place.

Helton took Earnhardt aside after the morning drivers’ meeting to discuss the fact he kept his concussion a secret.

“Most of what he said is between him and me, but he did tell me that I could have handled it better,” Earnhardt said.

Earnhardt received a concussion April 28 when he crashed into a wall at California Speedway, but kept quiet about it until early last week when he told reporters the injury was why he struggled early in the year.

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Jarrett ready to go: For the second straight year, Dale Jarrett won’t have fond memories of the Speedway. But at least this year he’ll have some recollection of his trip to the Sunflower State.

“I don’t remember anything,” Jarrett said of last year’s Protection One 400, where he received a concussion after slamming into a wall after 246 laps.

Sunday the veteran driver finished just 39 laps when his engine failed.

“I still don’t have any idea what happened,” Jarrett said. “This hasn’t been a very good place for us.”

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Waltrip tripped again: The NASCAR Busch Series Mr. Goodcents 300 pole-winner Michael Waltrip didn’t finish a race for the second time in as many days, when he again slammed into the wall after a tire blew.

“I was passing Tony (Stewart) and when I got to Turn 1 the car just wouldn’t turn,” said Waltrip, who was hoping to give his daughter, Margaret Carol, a victory present on her fifth birthday. “You can’t run over metal at 200 mph no matter what.”

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Harvick has two helpers: While second-year driver Kevin Harvick’s luck changed a little Sunday when he finished 11th, he needed the help of two crew chiefs.

After being diagnosed with acute bronchitis Saturday afternoon, Harvick’s head crew chief, Gil Martin, returned home to Concord, N.C.

Car chief Scott Naset and crew chief of the No. 21 Busch Series entry Butch Hylton assisted Harvick in the race.

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A win-win situation: Car owner Rick Hendrick had the luxury of two winners Sunday, sort of.

While Jeff Gordon won the race, rookie driver Jimmie Johnson moved to the top of Winston Cup Series championship point standings.

“I hope it comes down to that where they have to race each other to see who’s 1 and 2,” said Hendrick. “They both want to win, but they also want to see one of our cars win. It’s a great situation to be in.”