LOUDON, N.H. -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. made the decision to see a doctor, which he knew could affect whether he races again this year -- or ever.Earnhardt has suffered concussions in the past. He even missed two races in 2012 following two concussions in a six-race stretch, so the 41-year-old could be a little more aware of the dangers and symptoms of this type of injury.But even Earnhardt said as late as Tuesday that he thought the headaches and pressure he was experiencing were more likely caused by allergies or a sinus infection than a concussion. And so far, the official diagnosis is hes suffering from concussion-like symptoms, not a concussion. And he has admitted to having raced with concussion-like symptoms in the past.?Because of my symptoms and my history with concussions, and after my recent wrecks at Michigan [on June 12] and Daytona [on July 2], I reached out and met with a neurological specialist, Earnhardt said Thursday. After further evaluation, they felt it was best for me to sit out.?Although his team and NASCAR applauded Earnhardt for making the decision, the questions remain: Will other drivers follow his lead if they have concussion-like symptoms, and does NASCAR need to do more?Are there other drivers who have been hit hard but are driving around New Hampshire Motor Speedway this weekend, when they may be suffering from a concussion that should put them on the sideline with Earnhardt?NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said the data recorders from the Michigan and Daytona wrecks did not raise any immediate red flags as far as the G-forces in those accidents, where Earnhardt was able to drive away and therefore not seek medical attention.NASCAR does not have a threshold of G-forces at which a driver is required to see a neurologist. The question is, should the organization have such a rule? And should drivers who have had a history of concussions be scrutinized more after accidents?IndyCar has found its threshold for concussion is somewhere greater than 50 Gs -- and probably closer to 80 Gs. If a drivers ear accelerometer shows 50 Gs, IndyCar typically does follow-up examinations even if a driver doesnt show immediate symptoms of a concussion.NASCAR drivers dont wear ear accelerometers, and adding them to the drivers gear would require NASCAR approval because they count as an electronic recording device in the car. And NASCAR doesnt have traveling doctors like IndyCar, instead opting to have nurses travel with the circuit and rely on local physicians who meet certain criteria.That adds to the perception, whether warranted or not, that NASCAR could be doing more in situations such as Earnhardts.Drivers, often known for toughness in this macho sport, typically race hurt unless a doctor tells them they cant -- and even then, they would try unless someone else (NASCAR or the team or their family) forbids them from stepping into the car.Earnhardt told his team Tuesday that he might need a relief driver to help him get through the New Hampshire race because of the possible sinus infection, which he said he battled last weekend at Kentucky -- a week after the Daytona accident and a month after the Michigan wreck.NASCAR officials said they had no idea Earnhardt potentially had a concussion until the team informed them. Earnhardt did not inform NASCAR of the allergy symptoms he had last week at Kentucky.Hendrick Motorsports hasnt asked yet for any data from Earnhardts crashes. Team general manager Doug Duchardt said he didnt notice any difference in Earnhardt during their Tuesday competition meeting.It was Mexican [food] day, so he was in a good mood, Duchardt said. If you sat down and listened to him discuss the Kentucky race ... you would just think its no different -- [it was] the same thing every week, the way he is.While the policy is not specified in the NASCAR rulebook, Higdon said NASCAR drivers have an obligation to report any changes in medical history or diagnoses to the sanctioning body.The medical clause in the 2015 driver-NASCAR agreement obtained by ESPN.com, which drivers had to sign in order to race last year, states [I] certify that should there be any change in my health status, information or medications that I will inform the Medical Liaisons Office of such change(s) as soon as practically possible, but in no event longer than five business days of my discovery of such change(s). ?Now that Earnhardt has seen doctors and revealed a potential concussion diagnosis, NASCAR will require him to see a neurologist who has spent at least five years treating sports-related head injuries before he can be cleared to return. NASCAR requires drivers to undergo a type of neurological test called ImPACT once every two years, and that is typically used by neurosurgeons to determine whether a driver can compete.The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing is not a pass/fail test. The 20-minute test measures a range of neurocognitive functions, including memory, reaction time, attention span and other cognitive skills. By undergoing a test that shows their baseline, the drivers can then go through the test again after a potential injury so doctors can observe any changes and determine if drivers have a concussion.Defending Sprint Cup champion Kyle Busch said concussions have not been a hot topic in drivers council meetings with NASCAR. He has not been through the concussion protocol to know the exact standards. ?Theres never been that clarity from NASCAR or from the doctors on what they think is allowed to get back in the race car and what isnt, Busch said. Thats still something Im still unknown of.?Earnhardts decision will have competitive ramifications. He is 34 points up on the current Chase cutoff, where Trevor Bayne is the first driver currently on the outside looking in. Bayne has averaged 23.8 points per race this year.?Missing more than one race could make it tough for Earnhardt to make the Chase on points, especially with his recent struggles on the track. Alex Bowman replaces him this weekend, and Jeff Gordon, if necessary, will come out of retirement next week and substitute for Earnhardt.?Its probably one of the toughest things to do. ... If I was in that position, it would be very tough for me, I would think, said Ryan Newman, who also is on the bubble to make the Chase for the Sprint Cup. But I dont have the past he has to know the right move. New England Patriots Jerseys .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. 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Custom New England Patriots Jerseys A hat trick of stunning headers from Salomon Rondon earned West Bromwich Albion a 3-1 win over Swansea City at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.The Venezuelan frontman nodded in three times in less than 15 minutes at the start of the second half to put Tony Pulis men in control after a dismal first period.Wayne Routledge pulled one back for the visitors late, but it wasnt enough to stop all three points from staying in the Midlands.Both teams struggled to settle into the match early on and it took over half an hour for there to be any real goalmouth action. Nacer Chadli, on his return to the Baggies side, slid in Rondon after 37 minutes, but the frontmans effort was met by a spread-eagle Lukasz Fabianski.The hosts nearly fell behind just before the interval when Chris Brunt reacted too slowly to a Neil Taylor cross and nearly directed the ball into the back of his own net.Pulis must have given his team a rocket at the break because they immediately came out firing at the interval -- particularly Rondon.His firrst came on 50 minutes when he lost his marker to bullet a header past Fabianski from eight yards after getting onto the end of a Matt Phillips free-kick.ddddddddddddTwelve minutes later he doubled his account; Brunt swept in a delightful cross from the left and Rondon met it at the back post, heading back across goal to put West Brom two up.And he completed his hat trick only two minutes afterwards in a carbon copy of his second, Brunt caressing a delivery in from the touchline and the ex-Zenit man powering a header into the top right-hand corner.Swansea reduced the deficit to two with 10 minutes to go as Routledge scruffily bundled in after Borja Bastons shot had been stopped by Ben Foster.But, despite a late opportunity for Baston and a point-blank save from Foster to stop a possible Gareth McAuley own goal, West Brom deservedly held on to go seventh in the Premier League. 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