DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. still plans to compete in the Xfinity event at Darlington Raceway on Aug. 31, despite a recent plane crash.
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."
Yes. I plan on driving still. My lower back is bruised up real bad. Lots of swelling and I just need that to go down and the pain to chill out. I been treating the area every day solely to get well to race. I have a plan B but hope not to use it. https://t.co/O1J7jZU4kR
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) August 22, 2019
Earnhardt, his family and two pilots escaped a burning plane that veered off the runway at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee last week.
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.
Read More: "We Are Truly Blessed": Dale Jr. Thanks First Responders After Family Survives Plane Crash