Denny Hamlin Out 6 weeks with Fractured Vertebra

26 Mar, 2013

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Denny Hamlin will be sidelined at least six weeks because of a fractured vertebra sustained in a last-lap crash at California.

Hamlin was evaluated Tuesday by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates. While it was determined Hamlin won’t need surgery, the L1 compression fracture in his lower back needs time to heal.

“Dr. Petty will make the determination when Hamlin will be able to return to racing this season,” Joe Gibbs Racing said in a statement.

While there was no official word from Hamlin in the statement, he tweeted: “I wish I got good news today.. I didn’t.”

Hamlin has made 264 consecutive Sprint Cup Series starts, 13th most among active drivers. He raced two weeks after undergoing knee surgery during an off week in 2010, and completed the race at Phoenix without a replacement driver despite obvious pain.

If he heals according to Petty’s estimated timeline, he’d only miss five races because NASCAR is off this weekend. But among the next five are stops at Martinsville and Richmond, where the Virginia-raised driver has a combined six wins. He also hosts and competes in an annual charity race at RIR.

Joe Gibbs Racing said no decision has been made on a replacement for Hamlin, who is 10th in the Sprint Cup Series standings. But the team has former Cup regulars Elliott Sadler and Brian Vickers in its stable in the Nationwide Series, and both will likely get seat time in the No. 11 Toyota.

Vickers is scheduled to drive the Sprint Cup race at Martinsville for Michael Waltrip Racing.

Hamlin was injured when his car hit head-on into an interior wall at Auto Club Speedway after contact with Joey Logano.

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