Brian Vickers, who was replaced by Casey Mears for last weekend's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Dover after being hospitalized with blood clots, could return to action as early as this weekend, his Red Bull Racing team said Tuesday.
Vickers, 26, was hospitalized last Wednesday after complaining of discomfort in his chest area. Blood clots were subsequently detected, including at least one near a lung. He was released from the hospital on Friday, but stood down for the Dover weekend while Mears replaced him in Red Bull Racing's No. 83 Toyota. Mears finished 22nd at Dover, two laps down and one position ahead of Red Bull teammate Scott Speed. His readiness to return to racing is still being evaluated by doctors and Red Bull team officials have said Mears will drive its car until Vickers is fit.
"Right now Brian is our primary driver, so he remains listed for the All-Star Race," a Red Bull racing spokesperson told NASCAR.com. "He is currently in Charlotte undergoing evaluation and tests from specialists and his physician, Dr. Jerry Petty, so we won't have the final results until later in the week."
Vickers qualified for the All-Star event by winning last year's fall Michigan race.