Vickers released from hospital, return uncertain

DOVER, Del. -- Cup Series driver Brian Vickers, who is suffering from blood clots, was released from a Washington-area hospital on Friday night and cleared to fly home to Charlotte, Red Bull Racing announced on Saturday.

Vickers

Vickers, 26, was admitted Wednesday night after experiencing chest pains for a second consecutive day. A CT scan revealed blood clots, and team general manager Jay Frye said on Friday that his driver was receiving an intense dosage of medication to try and remedy the issue. Vickers is scheduled to meet with specialists in Charlotte about the specifics of his condition.

Vickers, 20th in points, was pulled from the car for this weekend's events at Dover International Speedway, a move that almost certainly scuttles his chances of making a repeat appearance in the Chase. Casey Mears is driving the No. 83 car while Vickers recovers.

Frye said Friday that he wasn't sure what had caused the clots, and Red Bull reiterated Saturday that Vickers' return to racing remains uncertain. Also uncertain is the No. 83 team's participation in next week's All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, which Vickers qualified for by virtue of his victory last season at Michigan.

According to a NASCAR spokesman, Red Bull had not yet officially requested a driver change for the No. 83 car for that event, and had until the start of practice next Friday to do so. Should Red Bull submit that request, and ask to substitute the non-qualified Mears for Vickers, the team's participation would be at the discretion of Sprint Cup Series director John Darby.

Related:
• Blood clots take Vickers out, maybe beyond Dover
• Vickers hospitalized and will miss Dover Cup race