Dale Earnhardt Jr. has missed the past 17 NASCAR Sprint Cup races. The one Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway was by far the most difficult one for him to watch.Earnhardt, the defending winner of the PIR fall race, watched as his substitute driver, Alex Bowman, led a race-high 194 laps only to finish sixth after a wreck battling Matt Kenseth for the lead on a restart with two laps remaining.Watching Bowman vie for the win reminded Earnhardt of how nervous he would get watching his father, a seven-time Cup champion, battle for victories. Not only was Bowman going for the win but he was in the difficult position of having to race drivers who also were attempting to advance to the championship round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup.This whole day has been about damn miserable watching that race, Earnhardt said on The Dale Jr. Download podcast released Monday and produced by his JR Motorsports team. Golly. I dont know how fans do it.For the longest time, I havent felt that way since watching Dad race. I remember it so clear now, all the nerves and sick feeling in your stomach, even halfway into the race.Earnhardt hopes to return to racing next year as he continues to rehabilitate from a concussion suffered in June at Michigan.Im so happy because our cars are so good, Earnhardt said. Im going to get into that thing next year and its going to be as good or better than when I got out of it.I feel like a very lucky guy in that regard. ... Man, Im really looking forward to getting back on the track, cutting some laps and just being a driver. I miss it, especially as I am getting more and more healthy and more confident in my health. I miss it more and more.When he returns, Earnhardt said he hopes he doesnt lose the perspective he has gained from his extended absence.It was hard being a fan, Earnhardt said about the race Sunday. I really got a new appreciation for what thats like. I had forgotten. I got caught up in what Ive been doing the last several years and had forgotten what that was like.Im seeing so many new perspectives, a lot of them unintentionally, which change the way I see everything about it. It will be a little bit different when I get back in the car, and I will try not to forget what I learned.Johnny Unitas Jersey . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. Kenny Moore Colts Jersey .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. http://www.officialindianapoliscoltspro.com/Kenny-moore-colts-jersey/ . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Devin Funchess Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Khari Willis Colts Jersey . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U.It appears David Ortiz may have some work lined up for him once his storied career ends after this season.In a video released Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox slugger served as a Lyft driver in disguise, taking unsuspecting passengers around Boston while wearing a wig and sunglasses and calling himself Donny. He even did his routine of spitting into his hands before taking the wheel.Amusingly, Ortiz talked a lot of trash about New York while in the car, nnoting that, A big part of my career has been being successful in New York.dddddddddddd. He also told one passenger: I like to drive, but a lot of times they make me walk.Ortiz is just the latest in a line of athletes to take a turn behind the wheel in recent months, joining Shaquille ONeal, Richard Sherman and Kris Bryant. ' ' '