Matt DiBenedetto has entered NASCAR’s concussion protocol and will miss Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway, BK Racing announced Saturday night.
Matt DiBenedetto enters NASCAR concussion protocol, will miss Texas Sprint Cup race
Jeffrey Earnhardt will substitute for Matt DiBenedetto in Sunday’s race.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The 25-year-old DiBenedetto crashed during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race, and though he was evaluated and released from an on-site medical center, doctors would not permit him to race in Sunday’s AAA Texas 500.
BK Racing said in a statement that it will name DiBenedetto’s substitute Sunday morning, but DiBenedetto tweeted Jeffrey Earnhardt will fill in. Because DiBenedetto originally qualified the No. 83 Toyota, Earnhardt will have to forfeit the 33rd-starting position and fall to the rear of the 40-car field.
Before DiBenedetto can return to competition he must receive medical clearance from a neurologist with a minimum of five years experience treating sports-related head injuries. In a Twitter exchange with Brad Keselowski Saturday night, DiBenedetto said he was feeling “totally fine” and expressed frustration he couldn’t race on Sunday.
“Yea man I’m extremely frustrated. I feel 100% but unfortunately they won’t clear me and I’m having to follow concussion protocol,” DiBenedetto posted.
Yea man I'm extremely frustrated. I feel 100% but unfortunately they won't clear me and I'm having to follow concussion protocol https://t.co/L9li0xEdNQ
— Matthew DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) November 6, 2016
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