Nationwide Series driver Michael Annett is out of the hospital and recovering from surgery to fix a fractured and dislocated sternum following a crash at Daytona International Speedway last Saturday.
According to ESPN.com, Petty Motorsports officials said Friday that Annett was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery and he is expected to be out for two months. The report says that Annett has been responding positively to his treatment and that he is hoping to return sooner than the projected two-month recovery.
While Annett is out, Sprint Cup driver Aric Almirola will take over his car for the Nationwide race on Saturday in Phoenix. Annett was originally hurt in an 11-car crash that was different from the one that sent Kyle Larson's car airborne into the catch fencing.
The crash occurred at the end of the race with three laps to go and sent Annett into the SAFER barrier after it was hit by another driver. Annett was originally brought to Daytona hospital and stayed until the following morning.
When Annett was evaluated by doctors in North Carolina, they found that his sternum was fractured.
28 fans were injured in the Larson crash from debris as well as a tire that went flying and 14 were taken to local hospitals. News came out on last week 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.
Mark Martin took the top spot in the pole for the Phoenix race on Sunday and some big names will also be driving in the Nationwide race, including Jimmie Johnson and Danica Patrick.
