The NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Saturday at Daytona had a scary crash that injured a number of spectators at the event as well as another crash that injured driver Michael Annett, who will be out indefinitely after sustaining injuries in the accident.
According to ESPN.com, Petty Motorsports officials said Tuesday that Annett suffered a fractured and isolated sternum in the accident on Saturday, which was separate from the major crash involving Kyle Larson, and will be out indefinitely, missing next weekend's race at Phoenix. The report says that Annett will require immediate surgery and that he will undergo the procedure in Charlotte.
Annett will be missing from the No. 43 Ford car indefinitely and that Cup driver Aric Almirole will be replacing him in the Nationwide race in Phoenix.
The 26-year-old was injured in an 11-car crash that caused a red flag near the end of the race, delaying things 20 minutes before a restart. Tony Stewart won the race and the crash was separate from when Kyle Larson's car went airborne and crashed into the catch fencing, sending debris into the grandstand.
28 fans were injured from debris as well as a tire that went flying and 14 were taken to local hospitals. News came out on Tuesday that three of the seriously-injured fans have retained a law firm and are planning a lawsuit against either NASCAR, the Daytona International Speedway or the company that manufactured the catch fencing.
The crash that Annett was involved in included 11 cars and came with three laps left in the race. As Annett turned to the righ, he slammed head first into the SAFER barrier and was later taken to a Daytona hospital. After being kept overnight, Annett was released the following morning.
Annett was re-evaluated in North Carolina by doctors on Tuesday, after which they discovered the sternum fracture. Annett will be out indefinitely after surgery.
