Joe Nemechek
DOVER, Del. - Joe Nemechek was injured in a crash during testing Tuesday morning at the one-mile, high-banked Dover Downs International Speedway. Nemechek, who was testing his NASCAR Busch Grand National car, has a broken right scapula.
He apparently cut a right front tire between turns three and four at Dover, the car sliding up into the wall. No other cars were involved and Nemechek had no other serious injuries.
Andy Petree Racing, which fields Nemechek's #33 Oakwood Homes Chevrolet in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, was still evaluating the situation Tuesday morning, and had made no decisions regarding Nemechek's status for The Winston weekend at Concord, N.C., which begins Friday.
"Our main concern right now is Joe's health," Petree said. "We're still putting information together and will make any decisions from there."
UPDATE
As an update, Joe Nemechek is currently scheduled to remain at Bay Health Medical at Kent General Hospital in Dover, Del., Tuesday night as a precautionary measure. He is expected to be released Wednesday morning. Outside of the broken right scapula and various bruises, Nemechek is reported to be in good spirits.
Hamilton, Jr. Subs For Nemechek At All-Star Race
E. FLAT ROCK, N.C. - Bobby Hamilton, Jr. will be doing everything he can to race alongside his father in Saturday night's The Winston at the 1.5-mile Lowe's Motor Speedway.
Hamilton, Jr. will drive the #33 Oakwood Homes Chevrolet for Andy Petree Racing in the Winston Open events that same evening. The 24-year-old son of Bobby Hamilton, who drives Petree's #55 Square D Chevrolet, will be sitting in for Joe Nemechek, who was injured during a testing crash at Dover Downs (Del.) International Speedway Monday morning.
"We felt someone sitting in for Joe this weekend, especially since it's not a points race, is just a smart thing to do. We're concerned about his health and having him ready to go next week more than anything else," said Petree. "Little Bobby has a little bit of Winston Cup experience, got that on a track that's close to Charlotte and has done pretty well in the Busch races at places like Charlotte, Atlanta and Michigan. We think he's a great fit with our guys and the people at Oakwood Homes love him already."
Hamilton, Jr. ran for Chip Ganassi Racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup season finale at Atlanta last season, finishing 31st.
Nemechek, who suffered a broken right scapula in the crash, is expected to be back behind the wheel of the Oakwood Homes Chevrolet by the Coca-Cola 600 next week.
"I hate to be getting in anybody's car under these circumstances but I'm glad I can help Andy and the guys out," said Hamilton Jr. "I have seen what a strong team concept they have between the two cars, how closely they work together and how hard they pull for each other. Even though it's only going to be one race, I'm glad to be a part of that.
"My dad is in The Winston and I'd love to run in that too. Who wouldn't?" Hamilton, Jr. said. "What we're going to try to do is everything we can to get up front in the Winston Open and the No Bull Sprint. Win one of those, and there we are.
"My main goal is to be competitive and to bring the car back. There isn't anything to prove in one race and I know that," he added. "The track time is important to me, and taking care of the equipment is important to everybody. I'm not going to try to be a hero, just be real solid in what I am doing. If the opportunity does come up, well, I'll do the best I can."