Labonte sent to hospital after big wreck at The Glen

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Former series champion Bobby Labonte was taken to an area hospital after being involved in a nine-car accident that marred the final laps of Sunday's Sprint Cup event at Watkins Glen International.

Labonte was taken by ground to a hospital in Elmira, N.Y., according to members of his Petty Enterprises organization. Team vice president Robbie Loomis said the driver was complaining of discomfort in his rib and abdominal area, but did not believe he was seriously hurt.

• Lap-by-Lap: Watkins Glen
• Video: Big wreck, red flag

"They think he's OK," Loomis said after the Centurion Boats at The Glen. "He's a little sore. That was a heck of a wreck."

A NASCAR official said later Sunday that Labonte had been released from the hospital and been cleared to resume competition.

Following the accident, David Gilliland, Dave Blaney and Max Papis were each examined and released from the track's infield care center. The crash on Lap 83 of the 90-lap event began when Michael McDowell and Gilliland collided exiting the final turn, sending cars careering into the narrow straightaway. Gilliland absorbed two big hits, one from the car of Joe Nemechek and another from Labonte's Dodge.

"I'm a little sore everywhere, I think," Gilliland said. "But I'll be OK, I think."

The car of Sam Hornish Jr. crashed hard into the barrier separating the frontstretch from pit road, necessitating a 43-minute red flag for repairs. The vehicles of Reed Sorenson and Michael Waltrip were also involved, turning the garage area at the legendary old road course into something resembling a salvage yard. Gilliland and McDowell were both summoned to the Sprint Cup hauler after the race.

"It was crazy," Papis said. "We came out of the last corner, somebody pushed me in the back, the next thing I saw was kind of a black car in the middle smashed from the back to the side. Then my car was destroyed. I know when it comes down to [seven] to go, you need to get up to the wheel and push hard. But that was too much, I think."