Sister says Dale Earnhardt Jr. could return to car soon

• Dale Earnhardt Jr., out with a concussion, won a race this year for the first time since 2008
• NASCAR's nine-time most popular driver was told he would miss at least two weeks
• If he returns at Martinsville and stays healthy, he would compete in the year's final four races

Dale Earnhardt Jr., recovering from a concussion that will force him to miss his second consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup race this weekend, could be cleared to race next week, his sister, Kelley Earnhardt wrote in a blog Wednesday on the driver's fan club website.

"If all goes according to plan, and he continues to improve to 100%, he will test a race car early next week to be cleared for Martinsville (Speedway)," she wrote on the JR Nation website.

Earnhardt Jr. suffered his second concussion in six weeks in a 25-car, last-lap crash Oct. 7 at Talladega Superspedway and last week announced he would miss at least two races. Returning Oct. 28 at Martinsville would be a best-case scenario for NASCAR's most popular driver, who was enjoying his best season since 2004 but is now out of championship contention.

Martinsville has long been one of Earnhardt Jr.'s best and favorite tracks. He was third there in April and 10 top-fives at NASCAR's shortest track in 25 Cup starts.

In her update, Kelley Earnhardt -- who is the co-owner and general manager of JR Motorsports -- wrote that her brother had been following doctor's orders. She said Earnhardt Jr. watched Saturday night's Bank of America 500, in which substitute driver Regan Smith lasted only 61 laps in the No. 88 Chevrolet before an engine failure.

"The doctor did relax his orders a little last week and allowed him to watch some television and play a little video games," she wrote. "He's not suppose to 'stress' his brain, LOL. He spent the weekend at home doing just that. He did watch the race and was bummed with the engine blowing on the 88."

Earnhardt Jr. met with renowned concussion expert Dr. Micky Collins on Tuesday in Pittsburgh as part of his recovery.

"Dale spent most of the day doing different therapies and exercises,'' his sister wrote. "We got back (Tuesday) afternoon and Dale has some different therapies to do at home as he consults with the doctors each day.''