NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson was released from Carolina’s Medical Center (CMC) Monday night following a series of tests and observations that occurred after he fainted at his merchandise hauler Saturday at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway
Larson, 22, completed his final tests Tuesday and according to a release issued by Chip Ganassi Racing team is “currently waiting for final doctor recommendation in order to clear him to return to all NASCAR-related activities.”
With the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series off in observance of Easter this weekend, the tour resumes next weekend at Texas Motor Speedway with an Apr. 11 night race. The 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Rookie-of-the-Year would need to be cleared by Apr. 10 in order to participate in practice and qualifying.
Fainting after signing autographs at his merchandise hauler following final Sprint Cup Series practice Saturday afternoon, Larson was transported to Martinsville Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.
With no neurologist available at Martinsville Memorial, Larson was advised to make the short trip to Carolina’s Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte to be evaluated by one. While initial tests came back negative, Larson was asked not to compete in Sunday’s STP 500 so additional tests could be run.
The team said in a release Sunday morning that Larson ”feels completely fine.”
“After fainting yesterday at an autograph session in Martinsville, VA, Kyle Larson was first evaluated at a local hospital in Martinsville and ultimately evaluated at a Charlotte hospital. Although all tests came back negative and Larson feels completely fine, the doctors felt he should be held for more testing today. Subsequently, Larson will be unable to race today in the STP 500 in Martinsville. Regan Smith has agreed to fill-in for Larson today in the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS.”
Regan Smith piloted the No. 42 Target Chevrolet in place of Larson to a respectable 16th place in the sixth race of the season. Larson watched the race from his hospital bed on a laptop
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Considered one of the sport’s rising stars, the Elk Grove, California native answered critic’s apprehensions after car owner Chip Ganassi advanced him to Cup full-time in 2014, with just one full season of racing in the NASCAR XFINITY Series complete.
The former NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion quickly silenced the concern by competing well and earning eight top-fives and 17 top-10 in the process and missing the Chase for the championship by just one spot. During the Chase, the former NASCAR Next driver had one of the best average finishes of anyone during the final 10 races with a 9.9 average.
After falling to 24th in the point standings after missing Martinsville, Larson can seek and will likely obtain a medical waiver from NASCAR to compete in the Chase should he meet the necessary performance requirements.
Larson is the fourth NASCAR driver to miss a race this season with a medical issue.
Joe Gibbs Racing driver Kyle Busch is sidelined indefinitely after breaking his right leg and left foot in the season-opening XFINITY Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway on Feb. 21.
NASCAR XFINITY Series driver Jamie Dick was diagnosed with diabetes after falling ill following their 200-lap race at Phoenix (Ariz.) International Raceway on March 14. He was forced to sit out the XFINITY Series race the following weekend at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway. He hopes pending doctor approval to return to competition at Texas Motor Speedway.
Brian Vickers who drives the No. 55 Toyota for Michael Waltrip Racing is out while treated for blood clots which formed the night before practice at Auto Club (Calif.) Speedway. Vickers, the three-time Cup winner missed the first two races, returned at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway and Phoenix after corrective heart surgery. His exact return has not been given.
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