Labonte sent to hospital following crash, released

UPDATE Labonte climbed from his wrecked car under his own power at Watkins Glen Sunday, but was taken to the infield care center and, subsequently, taken to a local hospital where he was evaluated and released.

“It was really hard to pass out there today," said Labonte. “Jeff came over the radio on several occasions to tell me that we had one of the fastest cars on the track, but I couldn’t go anywhere. So we came up with some fuel strategy that would have put us in position for a good finish. It was going to be close, but I think we would have made it. Then we got caught up in that big wreck. That was a superspeedway-type wreck. I’m sure I’ll be sore tomorrow."

08/10/08 Petty Enterprises' Bobby Labonte has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation following a hard crash in Sunday's Centurion Boats at The Glen at Watkins Glen International.

Labonte was one of nine drivers caught up in a late-race crash ignited by contact between Michael Waltrip Racing's Michael McDowell and Yates Racing's David Gilliland. Labonte had nowhere to go and was slowing when he was hit from behind and sent careening into the retaining wall in a hard hit. He climbed from his car in obvious pain.

Bill Davis Racing's Dave Blaney, Chip Ganassi Racing's Reed Sorenson, MWR's Michael Waltrip, Haas CNC Racing's Max Papis, Penske's Sam Hornish Jr. and Furniture Row Racing's Joe Nemechek were also collected in the crash, which created a red-flag period beginning on lap 82. Gilliland and McDowell were instructed to meet with NASCAR officials following the race. Scenedaily.com