Over the weekend race fans noticed a last minute scramble to fill a seat in both the Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series after Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett pulled out of the races due to a leg injury.
Chris Wimdom, who lived nearby, took over for Annett in the Truck Series on Friday night.
In Atlanta, Austin Dillon was at the track and jumped into the car just 20 minutes before race start after a scramble for a driver included JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr considering taking over the driving duties. In the NBC broadcast booth, Junior noted that had he had his helmet and hans device, he would have been in the race.
The leg injury turned out to be a stress fracture that required surgery to repair. Annett had the surgery on Tuesday and will be out of the car for the next three weeks.
This weekend in New Hampshire, JR Motorsports has tapped former part time driver of the number eight car Josh Berry to take over the driving duties of the number one car.
Doctors say with the two week break in NASCAR racing for the Olympics, Annett should be ready to return when NASCAR travels to central New York for the road course at Watkins Glen International Speedway.
JRM has applied for a medical waiver for Michael Annett which would allow Annett to retain his eligibility in the playoffs. That waiver has been granted. Annett is currently in 10th place in the Xfinity Series points standings.
feature photo credit: [[File:Michael Annett 43 2012 Road America Sargento 200.jpg|Michael_Annett_43_2012_Road_America_Sargento_200]]