Concord, NC (Sports Network) - Richard Petty Motorsports revealed on Tuesday that driver Michael Annett suffered a fracture and dislocation of his sternum during a crash in last Saturday's Nationwide Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
Annett was caught up in a 13-car wreck that occurred with four laps to go, forcing NASCAR to stop the race for 20 minutes. The 26-year-old driver had to be transported to a nearby hospital, where he remained overnight. He had complained of pain in his chest and sternum.
After further evaluation by two different doctors in North Carolina, Annett will undergo immediate surgery for his injuries. He will not be able to compete for an indefinite amount of time. RPM said that Aric Almirola is substituting for him in the No. 43 Ford for this weekend's Nationwide race at Phoenix International Raceway. The team will evaluate its options moving forward.
Annett's wreck took place shortly before a horrific last-lap accident occurred on the frontstretch, in which flying debris from Kyle Larson's car injured dozens of spectators in the grandstands.
