Tony Stewart is helped to the ambulance after hurting his right shoulder. Credit: AP

Stewart injures shoulder in another crash at LMS

Melted bead in tire apparent cause of Coca-Cola 600 wreck

CONCORD, N.C. -- Tony Stewart cut a right front tire heading into Turn 1 on Lap 33 and slammed the outside wall hard. The crash came just four laps before the team's first planned pit stop of the night.

Stewart remained in his car for several minutes after it came to a stop inside Turn 2, and he got out gingerly with assistance from trackside safety personnel. He held his right arm, injured Saturday night in a crash during the Busch Series race, as he walked to the ambulance.

Tony Stewart's wrecked car is loaded into the hauler. Credit: CIA Stock Photo

Results Coca-Cola 600 Pos. Driver Make 1. K. Kahne Dodge 2. J. Johnson Chevrolet 3. C. Edwards Ford 4. M. Martin Ford 5. M. Kenseth Ford 6. J. Burton Chevrolet 7. G. Biffle Ford 8. J. McMurray Ford 9. D. Hamlin Chevrolet 10. R. Sorenson Dodge • Complete results, click here • Driver standings, click here Victory LaneKasey Kahne captures his third NNC of the season Post raceJimmie Johnson talks to the media after the Coca-Cola 600 Bad monthStewart is pulled out of his car after hitting the wall Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Following his trip to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, it was revealed that Stewart had sustained a "minimally displaced fracture" at the tip of his right shoulder blade.

Stewart is scheduled to meet with Joe Gibbs Racing team doctors on Tuesday for further evaluation. Stewart's condition will be updated following that evaluation.

Crew chief Greg Zipadelli had just asked for Stewart's opinion for changes during the upcoming stop when the accident occurred. Stewart turned down into Turn 1 and the car went straight to the outside wall.

Zipadelli said the bead apparently melted on the right front tire, which triggered Stewart's trip to the wall and ultimately, the hospital.

"We don't understand it," Zipadelli said. "The outside of the tire looked good; just the inside on the bead was torn up. We were just talking to him [when the accident occurred], and he was relaxed and confident. We were just making it good for later tonight."

Immediately upon hearing the news that Stewart was on his way to the infield care center and that the car would be towed back to the garage, Joe Gibbs Racing officials began locating Mike Bliss, who is the team's relief driver.

Team officials called Bliss to stand by in case Stewart was unable to shake off last night's injuries, and were planning to put him in the car if they got it fixed. Zipadelli said that wouldn't be the case.

"There's too much damage to the right front suspension," Zipadelli said. "We don't want to put him out there with the kind of load that the suspension takes here. We'll just go to Dover and catch up."