Jarrett has cracked rib; expects to go 600 miles
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
May 26, 2001
2:11 PM EDT (1811 GMT)
CONCORD, N.C. - Dale Jarrett’s accident during Bud Pole Qualifying Thursday night at Lowe’s Motor Speedway has proven a bit more costly than first thought.
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Jarrett expects to be able to race in the Coca-Cola 600.
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Jarrett was diagnosed with a cracked rib in his right side Saturday afternoon following Happy Hour practice for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600. The 1999 Winston Cup champion was unaware of the injury until he felt a “pop,” while heading into Turn 3, resulting in shortness of breath and discomfort to his right side.
Following the injury, he attempted to run about four more laps, but was in great pain and therefore was forced to park the car. He had no inkling that it might have resulted from Thursday night’s qualifying crash in Turn 4.
“I was going into Turn 3 and I just felt a pop,” Jarrett said of his injury Saturday. “I mean, it’s on my right side so it doesn’t make sense that it would have happened the other night.
“I had no indication. I worked out yesterday and lifted weights and ran like I normally would and had no problems. I’m pretty sure (the ribs) are broken, but if we went and got x-rays there’s no more you can do if it’s broken or not.”
According to Jarrett’s spokesman Kris Johnson, Jarrett was sent to the Motor Racing Outreach fitness center for evaluation upon exit from the car, where physical therapist Bill Nelson attempted to fit him with a flak jacket, but it caused discomfort for Jarrett.
“My deal is something where the pain comes whenever I go to turn the wheel,” Jarrett said. “The only thing the flak jacket was basically gonna do was to keep from furthering the injury. I need something that is gonna help kind of tie this together, so when I do go to turn the wheel that I’m not gonna get that much pain.
“If it’s just some pain and I can breathe, that’s fine. But what I had this morning wasn’t something that I would feel comfortable with for 600 miles.”
Even so, Jarrett expects to complete the full 400-lap event.
“I feel I’ll start and my plan is to finish,” he said.
Jarrett had hoped to wait until after Sunday’s race to have the rib area checked, but extreme discomfort sent him to the doctor Saturday.
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