Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Hey Ron Burgundy ... CANNONBALL!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, can we please have your attention?

We've just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story ... and we need all of you to stop what you're doing and listen.

CANNONBALL!!!

This is how Dale Earnhardt Jr. kicked off his 3 month hiatus after missing the cut to race for the championship on Sunday ... a cannonball off a second story balcony.

Good form.

See you in Daytona.