According toFox Sports, NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Kyle Larson was taken to the hospital yesterday after fainting in an autograph session. Hoardes of people are certainly a nerve-wracking experience, but this was apparently a serious enough faint for him to miss today's race.
2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Larson fainted at the end of an autograph session on Saturday afternoon and was immediately transported to Martinsville Memorial Hospital for checks.
An official from his Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates team told Fox Sports that Larson was "awake and alert on the way to the hospital."
At 10:00 PM EDT Saturday, a Chip Ganassi Racing spokesman told Fox Sports that initial checks on Larson turned out fine, however, they wanted him to be evaluated further by a neurologist. Larson was then transferred over to the larger Carolina's Medical Center in Charlotte for further evaluation.
Unfortunately, doctors at Charlotte weren't comfortable releasing him back to race today. "Although all tests came back negative and Larson feels completely fine, the doctors felt he should be held for more testing today," said a team statement, as reprinted by ESPN.
Larson had qualified seventh for this weekend's STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway. Fortunately, Larson is still eligible for the Chase for the Sprint Cup at the end of the year since he qualified for the race, however, ESPN reports that Regan Smith will be filling in for him this weekend.
Smith last filled in for Kurt Busch during Busch's suspension at the beginning of the year.
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