NASCAR Cup Series

Brad Keselowski on Dale Earnhardt Jr. injury: 'Drivers are a perishable fruit'

Published Aug. 26, 2016 12:16 p.m. ET

foxsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s prolonged absence while he recovers from a concussion has once again made safety and driver health topics of conversation with fans and people in the industry alike.

Friday at Michigan International Speedway, 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski was asked if Earnhardt's situation and Keselowski's Bristol crash made him think more or less about accidents and health.

Keselowski, who is a close friend of Earnhardt's, gave a shockingly candid answer and a reminder that no matter how much safety has improved, this is still a dangerous sport.

"Drivers are a perishable fruit, just like anyone else that is an athlete," Keselowski said. "Your career is easily spoiled. You have to be careful not to drop the fruit and bruise it. Those incidents are tough but it is part of the gig."