Frightening incidents on pit road during Coke 600

UPDATE #2 Rear tire carrier Kevin McDowell was treated and released from the hospital following an incident on pit road during last Sunday's race. X-rays showed nothing broken and McDowell is expected to return to his pit crew duties in two to four weeks. While he is recovering, 3M team member and backup tire-carrier Eric Wallace will fill in. RFR

05/31/10 Racing crewman Kevin McDowell was examined and released from an area hospital early Monday morning after X-rays taken showed no broken bones, a team spokesman said Monday. McDowell, the rear tire carrier for Greg Biffle, was taken to the hospital after being clipped by Tony Stewart on pit road during the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. McDowell was doing his work on pit road and Stewart hit him as he was leaving his pit. He was awake and alert while being treated on pit road.

05/31/10 Roush Fenway Racing crewman Kevin McDowell was taken to a local hospital after being clipped by Tony Stewart on pit road and Joe Gibbs Racing crewman Nick Odell found himself on top of his own driver’s hood during the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

McDowell was awake and alert when he was taken to the infield medical center after getting hit by Stewart. He was taken to an area hospital for observation. The rear tire carrier was doing his work on pit road when Stewart hit him as he was leaving his pit.

As far as Busch’s front tire changer Odell, he didn’t need medical attention. Miscommunication led to his running around the front of the car as Busch was leaving from a two-tire stop. Odell laid on top of the hood for a moment before safely getting off the car.

“I … ran over him at the last stop leaving," Busch said. “He’ll be coming over to the house tomorrow so I’m sure he’ll knock me over." Scene Daily