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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Plans To Drive Xfinity Race At Darlington

Dale Earnhardt Jr. still plans to compete in the Xfinity event at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, despite a recent plane crash.

NASCAR Xfinity Series Go Bowling 250
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 21: Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Hellmann's Camaro Chevrolet, is introduced prior to the NASCAR Xfinity Series Go Bowling 250 at Richmond Raceway on September 21, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Earnhardt Jr. posted his update on Twitter late Wednesday night, saying his lower back is sore and swollen. He's receiving daily treatment "solely to get well to race."

Earnhardt, his family and two pilots escaped a burning plane that veered off the runway at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee last week.

NASCAR Xfinity Series GoBowling 250 Practice
RICHMOND, VA - SEPTEMBER 21: Dale Earnhardt Jr, driver of the #88 Hellmann's Camaro Chevrolet, stands on the grid during practice for the NASCAR Xfinity Series GoBowling 250 at Richmond Raceway on September 21, 2018 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images)

Earnhardt won NASCAR's most popular driver 15 straight times from 2003 through 2017. He retired two years ago and is an NBC racing analyst.

Darlington is Earnhardt's one race this season.

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