Dale Earnhardt Jr. Gives Health Update After Fiery Plane Crash

Race car driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is still mending after his scary plane crash last week.

Despite his near-death experience, Dale isn't letting it stop him from competing — he is planning to participate in the NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Darlington Raceway at the end of August.

When a fan asked if he was “still racing at @TooToughtoTame next week,” Earnhardt Jr. tweeted back on Wednesday, “Yes. I plan on driving still. My lower back is bruised up real bad. Lots of swelling and I just need that to go down and the pain to chill out. I been treating the area every day solely to get well to race. I have a plan B but hope not to use it.”

Days before, Dale took to social media to show his appreciation for all the support after news broke about his plane crash. He wrote on Instagram, “Amy and I want to thank everyone who has lifted us up with phone calls, messages and prayer since last Thursday. We are truly blessed that all on board escaped with no serious injuries, including our daughter, our two pilots and our dog Gus.”

“With respect to the investigation, we will not be speculating or discussing the cause of the accident. I am thankful for the quick response of my pilots, local law enforcement, emergency personnel and hospital staff,” Dale went on. “Lastly Amy and I continue to be very appreciative of the privacy extended to us to process everything. It has been important to do that together and on our own time.”

According to the FAA, the plane experienced a “hard landing, bounced, departed runway, and caught fire” at Elizabethton Municipal Airport in Tennessee.

Elizabethton fire chief Barry Carrier described the fiery scene to USA Today, saying the aircraft wrapped around a fence at the end of the runway and slid into the grass, where it was seen burning.

Carrier told the paper, "The first word to come to my mind is that they were very lucky. It looks like everything worked in their favor instead of against them."