Kyle Larson, the 2014 Sprint Rookie of the Year, fainted during an autograph session at Martinsville Speedway Saturday afternoon and was taken to Martinsville Memorial Hospital for an initial evaluation. Afterwards, he was sent to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina for further testing and will miss the STP 500.
The incident occurred after Larson participated in two Sprint Cup practice sessions and then attended an autograph session for fans.
The team reported that Larson was “awake and alert on the way to the hospital,” and were hopeful that Larson would be able to compete in Sunday’s STP 500 at Martinsville.
However, after an examination at the hospital, it was determined that Larson should also be checked out by a neurologist. Because Martinsville Memorial did not have a neurologist available, Larson was sent to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
John Olguin, vice president of communications for Chip Ganassi Racing confirmed this Saturday, adding that “everything checked out well for Kyle Larson, however, just to be safe, they felt he should also be evaluated by a neurologist.”
Chip Ganassi Racing Teams issued an update Sunday morning stating, “After fainting yesterday at an autograph session in Martinsville, VA, Kyle Larson was first evaluated at a local hospital in Martinsville and ultimately evaluated at a Charlotte hospital. Although all tests came back negative and Larson feels completely fine, the doctors felt he should be held for more testing today.
“Subsequently, Larson will be unable to race today in the STP 500 in Martinsville. Regan Smith has agreed to fill-in for Larson today in the No. 42 Target Chevrolet SS.”
Car owner Felix Sabates spoke to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio before the Sprint Cup race Sunday and provided additional information on Larson’s condition. Sabates was at Carolinas Medical Center where he is on the board of directors, Sunday morning to visit Larson and arrange for an examination by a cardiologist. He said that Larson had already been examined by three doctors Sunday and had undergone multiple tests including an MRI and a CT scan.
“They don’t think it’s anything serious,” Sabates said, “but he drives a race car. They don’t want him hitting the wall or passing out again.”
“Nobody thinks it’s anything serious because his blood pressure has been pretty normal,’’ he continued, “But they are checking the heart area. That’s where they’re looking at.’’
Sabates joked that he had woken Larson up this morning and told him “get your ass out of bed,” saying Larson was “in good spirits.”
Regan Smith, subbing for Larson in the No. 42 Chevrolet, finished the STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway in 16th place.
