Dale Earnhardt Jr., the driver of the #88 Goody’s Mixed Fruit Blast Chevrolet, leads a pack of cars during the NASCAR XFINITY Series Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 18, 2017, in Bristol, Tennessee. Photo – Sean Gardner/Getty Images
.Suffering from cramps in his hands and dehydration, Dale Earnhardt Jr. paid a visit to the infield care center after finishing 13th in Friday night’s 36th Annual Food City 300 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
He was released shortly thereafter after receiving intravenous fluids.
With 500 laps to run in the Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race at the 0.533-mile track, Earnhardt’s treatment was as much preventive as anything else.
“Last two days I lost a ton of fluids,” Earnhardt tweeted after his release from the care center. “Figured since it was free and the infield care center folks are so kind to offer, why not get 2 bags?”
Fellow driver Kenny Wallace answered that it used to be common practice for drivers to get a saline IV before a race.
“Filled up with hydration for 500 laps,” Wallace wrote.
As is usually the case, Earnhardt had a quick, witty rejoinder.
“I think I’ve gotten fluids a half dozen times,” Earnhardt tweeted. “Always makes ya feel great. I hear it works wonders on a hangover, Kenny.”