NASCAR WCUP: Jarrett to play through pain at Dover Downs
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 31, 2001
NATURE OF UPS DRIVER'S INJURY REVEALED TUESDAY
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Jarrett visited a local physician Tuesday and x-rays revealed no broken ribs, but a "serratus anterior muscle tear" in the driver's right side.
The injury, a source of severe pain, normally takes 3-4 weeks to heal completely.
There are no plans to have a relief driver on standby Sunday in Dover.
The planned course of treatment is similar for that of a broken rib with localized nerve blocks to be used when Jarrett competes in the #88 UPS Ford Taurus.
Jarrett has one victory, 8 top 5's and 10 top-10 finishes in 28 career starts at Dover Downs International Speedway. His victory at the "Monster Mile" came in the spring of 1998 and he finished 4th in this event last year.
Despite his ailing condition, Jarrett persevered in Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway, finishing 8th and adding 61 points to his lead in the Winston Cup championship standings. He owns a 75-point advantage over Jeff Gordon after12 of 36 events. Jarrett had this to say about the challenge ahead:
"Sometimes you just have to deal with pain," Jarrett said. "I'm not the first guy and doubt I'll be the last to get out there and drive through an injury. I've got a responsibility not only to myself, but also to my team and sponsor as well, to be in that race car if I'm able. It might not be the most comfortable ride at Dover, but I feel right now that I can do the job well on Sunday."
Text provided by Kris Johnson
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