The ripple effect from Tony Stewart's ATV wreck earlier this week will cost him what could be his final chance at his long-desired Daytona 500 victory, and possibly much more.
Stewart, 44, who wrecked his ATV on Sunday while vacationing on the West Coast, sustained a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra in his back. He was able to move all extremities, according to initial reports. A Thursday afternoon update provided greater detail into the specifics of Stewart's condition as well as his immediate future.
According to a Stewart-Haas Racing statement, he was flown to North Carolina on Tuesday and underwent surgery on Wednesday. "The subsequent recovery period means Stewart will miss the beginning of the Sprint Cup season," the statement read. "A timetable for Stewart's return has not been determined, but he is expected to make a full recovery and return to the No. 14 Chevrolet in 2016." The team did not announce a replacement driver.
Here is the full statement:
 | @StewartHaasRcng | |
.@TonyStewart Injury Update from Stewart-Haas Racing pic.twitter.com/siv1jIyBPh
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Stewart has never won the Daytona 500 in 17 tries, and had previously announced plans to retire at the end of this season. Those plans, obviously, remain in flux. If he doesn't race in the 500 again, he would retire as the only driver to have won three or more championships without also claiming a Daytona 500.
Clint Bowyer is slated to take over as driver of the No. 14 in 2017. A range of drivers, including Austin Dillon, Mark Martin, Regan Smith, Max Papis, and Jeff Burton have strapped into the No. 14 during Stewart's absences the last three seasons.
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