Michael Annett has been declared medically unable to compete and will immediately undergo surgery for injuries sustained during Saturday’s Nationwide Series event at Daytona International Speedway. After further evaluation by two different doctors in North Carolina, it has been determined that the Richard Petty Motorsports driver has suffered a fracture and dislocation of his sternum.
Injuries from Daytona crash indefinitely sidelines Michael Annett
Sam Greenwood
The incident involving Annett happened five laps from the finish and was not the same accident in which Kyle Larson’s car was launched into the catchfence and sent debris into the grandstands.
This accident occurred on lap 155 of the 160-lap race when Annett slid up the banking and into Austin Dillon. Annett’s car sailed head first into the wall and collected Johanna Long, Kasey Kahne, Jamie Dick, Hal Martin and others.
Annett was initially transported from the infield care center to nearby Halifax Medical Center for what was believed to be deep bruising. Annett was held overnight for observation and was released from that hospital on Sunday morning.
“Richard Petty Motorsports’ primary concern is the health of Annett and getting him the proper treatment he needs for a full recovery,” a news release said.
Replacing Annett this weekend at Phoenix is the team’s Sprint Cup Series driver, Aric Almirola. The team will further evaluate its options for the no. 43 Nationwide Series team next week.
Annett, 26, is coming off a career-best season in the Nationwide Series, where he finished fifth in the standings and scored 17 top-10s. Annett’s previous best result in the standings was a ninth-place finish in 2011.
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