Vickers Released From Hospital, Cleared To Fly Home To Charlotte

Dover, DE, United States (AHN) – NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Brian Vickers was released from his Washington, D.C.-area hospital Friday night and cleared to fly home to Charlotte, N.C.

Vickers had been hospitalized since Wednesday night for what doctors termed were blood clots in his veins. The reason for the blood clots have yet to be determined and have Vickers and Red Bull Racing concerned.

“He was having some discomfort in his chest and with the encouragement of Doctor Jerry Petty Brian went to an emergency room at a D.C. area hospital to get checked out. Numerous tests were conducted including a CT scan. The scan discovered several blood clots in his veins, not his arteries,” said Jay Frye, general manager and vice president for Red Bull Racing. “He’s been thoroughly tested and given a clean bill of health. The doctors are not sure what caused the clots or how it happened. We’ve been in constant contact with Brian. He’s in great spirits and he’s doing very well. At this point there’s really no time table for his return.”

The 26-year-old Vickers was given medication to dissolve his blood clots and he will meet with a group of specialists as to the specifics of his condition.

Vickers will be unable to driver Sunday at Dover and the status of his return to racing is uncertain.

“It is a minor setback in a young man’s life and in his career. Obviously, it’s a major setback for our race team for this weekend. And again with no time table for his return we’re really not sure what the next steps are. But he’s doing great,” said Vickers. “He wanted to make sure that everybody knew exactly what was going on with him. He’s got great reason for optimism that everything’s going to be fine.”

After missing Sunday’s race Vickers’ chances of making The Chase for the Sprint Cup title will all but be dashed.

Casey Mears qualified the No. 83 Toyota in Vickers’ place and will drive the entry Sunday at Dover International Speedway.

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