Dale Earnhardt Jr. has started off the season hot after coming in second place at the Daytona 500 last week and he heads into Sunday's race at Phoenix International Raceway with some momentum after passing a health test Friday.
Earnhardt had a hard crash in last week's Nationwide race and he was able to do fine at Daytona the following day. He passed a health test after crashing into the wall hard in the race on Saturday after Regan Smith tried to block Brad Keselowski.
"I was real happy I was able to pass a personal test, I guess," Earnhardt said from Phoenix International Raceway on Friday. "When you have concussions, sometimes they're easier to get the second, third, fourth time around, so we survived that one. We'll try to move on and not get in anymore wrecks."
Danica Patrick had a solid showing at Daytona as well and will be looking to continue that success at Phoenix. She became the first woman to win the pole at the event and she also led a number of laps before finishing eighth.
Earnhardt spoke to Fox Sports about Patrick and her relationship with fellow driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. leading up to Daytona, saying that he usually likes to keep things private.
"As long as it's not hurting anybody or it's not hurtful for someone to go through," Earnhardt said. "I don't want to read sad stories about people. You don't want people to have to go through the exposure of that. I think there's a gentlemen's agreement amongst everybody - what's fair and what's not.
Patrick separated from her husband last year and divorced him in January before coming out in public with Stenhouse. The two raced against each other on the Nationwide circuit, where Stenhouse has won the title over the past two seasons. Patrick had her best finish of her career on the circuit last year, as she finished 10th in the points standings.
"I think it's fine," Earnhardt said of the relationship. "Whatever people want to do to make themselves happy. They've got a lot in common. They enjoy racing. I don't think it was a big deal to be honest with you."
Both drivers are making their debuts on the Sprint Cup full time this season and are competing for rookie of the year on the circuit. The two drivers have been friendly for the last few years while driving on the Nationwide Series and eventually the friendship evolved into something romantic.
"Heck no, we're going for rookie of the year," Stenhouse said. "People always say, 'I'd wreck my mom to win,' and that's a racer's mentality. I want to win rookie of the year just as badly as she does."
Patrick could be seen speaking to Stenhouse at his car before his sessions at Daytona and the two were photographed in the garage later on as well.
