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. Custom Dodgers Jersey China . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Babe Herman Jersey Large . Jay Feely kicked a 41-yard field goal in overtime, and the Cardinals edged the Tennessee Titans 37-34 in overtime after blowing a 17-point lead late in the fourth quarter. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/ . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. 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MADRID -- Sergio Ramos only contribution to Spain in a World Cup qualifier this weekend will be a pep talk to his teammates.Ramos visited the teams training camp this week ahead of Saturdays match against Macedonia, but the captain wont be on the field in the southern city of Granada because of an injury -- one of the many players missing as Spain tries to defend its Group G lead in European qualifying.Spain coach Julen Lopetegui also wont be able to count on playmaker Andres Iniesta, striker Diego Costa, defender Gerard Pique, left back Jordi Alba and defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.Costa was the latest to be dropped from the squad on Thursday, being released because of a thigh injury that had kept him from practicing with the rest of the squad during the week. Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas was named as his replacement, joining the national team for the first time.We are going to try to turn difficulties into opportunities, Lopetegui said. We cant lament anything. Im happy with the players that we called up, and they are going to help us achieve victory in both matches.Three days after hosting Macedonia, Spain will play a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.Lopetegui will have to work extra hard to set up his defense, which is not used to being without veteran central defenders Ramos and Pique at the same time. Ramos is nursing a left knee injury, while Pique is recovering from sprained ligaments in his right ankle.Weve had to restructure the defense the best way possible, Lopetegui said, not dismissing the possibility of having to improvise with right back Cesar Azpilicueta at center back.The Chelsea player has played in the position in tthe past.ddddddddddddther options for Lopetegui include Real Madrids Nacho Fernandez, Real Sociedads Inigo Martinez, Sevillas Sergio Escudero and Borussia Dortmunds Marc Bartra.With Costa not playing up front, Alvaro Morata and Aritz Aduriz should get a chance to perform alongside each other in the lineup. Other forwards in the squad include Lucas Vazquez, Manuel Nolito Agudo, Jose Callejon and Victor Vitolo Machin.Its great to have so many options, said Aduriz, who was called up after scoring five goals in an Athletic Bilbao win in the Europa League last week. We are all here to help.At midfield, it will be difficult to substitute for Iniesta, who has been sidelined because of right knee injury. Among the options available for Lopetegui are Juan Mata, Thiago Alcantara and Jorge Koke Resurreccion.Some important players couldnt come because of injuries, but that creates an opportunity to those who are here, reserve goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.Spain and Italy have seven points each after three games in Group G, with the Spaniards ahead on goal difference. Albania and Israel are one point behind, while Macedonia and Liechtenstein have yet to earn points.Italy plays at Lichtenstein the same day that Spain hosts Macedonia.Only the group winner automatically secures a spot for the World Cup in Russia. The second-place team must go through a playoff to try to make it to the 2018 tournament.Spain is coming off a 2-0 win at Albania. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 in Turin in October.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni ' ' '