MARTINSVILLE, Va. – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson was awaiting a final evaluation from a neurologist late Saturday night in Charlotte after fainting earlier in the day at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.
According to a report by USA Today Sports, Larson’s public relations representative Davis Schaefer indicated that the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates driver fainted after signing autographs at his merchandise hauler following final Sprint Cup Series practice for Sunday’s STP 500.
Awake and alert, Larson was then 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. The driver of the No. 42 Target Chevrolet arrived late Saturday night and still is awaiting a final evaluation. As of 10:30 p.m. ET, the 22-year old was still awaiting the results.
Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates issued the following statement to the media Saturday night, shortly before 10:00 p.m. ET.:
“After evaluating him, doctors at Martinsville Memorial Hospital felt that everything checked out well for Kyle Larson, however, just to be safe, they felt he should also be evaluated by a neurologist. Martinsville Memorial Hospital did not have one available so they decided to have Larson make the short trip to Carolina’s Medical Center (CMC) in Charlotte to be evaluated by one. Larson arrived late this evening to Charlotte, feels fine and is just awaiting a final evaluation at CMC which we hope to have the results of later this evening.”
The Elk Grove, California native remains scheduled to start seventh in Sunday’s sixth race of the season. However, NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp indicated that Larson will need to have “medical clearance from the attending physician” to race Sunday.
Larson, last year’s Sprint Cup rookie of the year is 18th in the Sprint Cup Series standings after five races with two top-10 finishes.
Even with his fourth top-10 qualifying effort of the season, the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion has struggled at Martinsville’s paperclip racetrack in three prior starts. A 27th place finish last March is his best finish to date.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
