CONCORD, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. will miss the next two Sprint Cup races with a concussion. The news ends his chances of winning the 2012 Chase championship. Hendrick Motorsports says that Earnhardt will sit out Charlotte and Kansas, and Regan Smith will replace him in the No. 88 Chevrolet.

The team reports that Earnhardt was diagnosed Wednesday in Charlotte.

Earnhardt was injured in a 25-car last-lap accident Sunday at Talladega. Because he was able to drive his car away from the accident, Earnhardt was not required to go to the care center for an examination at the time.

By sitting out the next two races, he'll most certainly finish last in the 12-driver Chase race.