Tuesday, August 06, 2013

UPDATE: Stewart Needs Additional Surgery, Max Papis To Drive At Watkins Glen


Tony Stewart underwent surgery on his right leg early this morning after suffering a broken tibia and fibula in a Sprint Car crash last night at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. 

The surgery served as a preliminary procedure to stabilize and clean a Grade 2 injury, which is defined as a fracture resulting in moderate soft tissue damage, possibly including a break in the skin.. A second surgery will be necessary going forward. In the meantime, Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation. 

Stewart was leading the 30-lap American Sprint Car Series feature when a lapped car spun in front of him and contact was made. Stewart hit the lapped car and flipped. 

Stewart’s injury will prevent him from competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Watkins Glen International this weekend. Veteran racer Max Papis will replace Stewart in the No. 14 Chevrolet at Watkins Glen after testing the car on July 30 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. 

Papis has made 35 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starts, with a career-best finish of eighth in 2009 at Watkins Glen. He has competed in Formula One, Indy car, sports cars and other NASCAR divisions, including the Nationwide Series, Camping World Truck Series and Canadian Tire Series. He is a three-time CART race winner and a seven-time winner in the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, which includes a Daytona Prototype victory at Watkins Glen in the 2004 Sahlen’s Sports Car Grand Prix. Papis won the 2004 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series championship with co-driver Scott Pruett and is a two-time winner of the prestigious Rolex 24 Hours At Daytona (2000 and 2002).

6 comments:

  1. Sounds more and more like the injury the University of Louisville player Kevin Ware had in the NCAA Regional. He was on crutches for about 6 weeks. Oh and he was also only 19-20 years old. We don't heal so well as we get older. Hope he takes it easy and heals up well.

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  2. You mean Tony Stewart has bones? Well I guess he's a mortal like the rest of us.

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  3. News I can use. I couldn't imagine a break that was set and ready to heal would be keeping Stewart out of a car for the one (two?*) laps that would be necessary to start the race and get points. I figured that a casual lap around the track for practice and another casual lap around the track to take the green would not be asking too much. Someone else could qualify. But if there's more surgery needed, then that changes everything.



    *I question the two b/c I don't remember if the driver is required to practice the car or not I think so; correct me if I'm wrong.

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  4. I broke my femur and tibia, 5 months before i could walk with a cane, Hope Tony can heal faster than that

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  5. Anonymous10:53 AM

    I know these guys love racing but do they not have a responsibility towards their team and sponsors as well? I know if I am sponsoring him and the #14 car, I expect him to deliver on his obligations as well. To break your leg in a race that means absolutely nothing is just silly at best and sheer stupidity and irresponsibility at worst. If racing a Nascar sprint cup car being paid millions of dollars and winning three championships doesn't satisfy your need for racing, nothing ever will.

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  6. Anonymous12:39 PM

    He will be out for at least 8 weeks... He will be on crutches for that long.. You probably won't see him till the Daytona 500.... The doctors aren't going to let him get in a car for a few laps..Come on...

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