Tony Stewart was evaluated by doctors on Wednesday, five weeks after undergoing surgery for a back injury sustained in an all-terrain-vehicle accident. They’re satisfied with the amount of healing that’s taken place and Stewart has been assigned a rehabilitation regimen designed to hasten his recovery. Future evaluations are necessary, however, before a timetable is set for his return to competition.
Ty Dillon is scheduled to make his second start of the season in Stewart’s Number-14 Chevrolet on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway. He finished seventeenth in his debut eleven days ago at Atlant Motor Speedway.
Brian Vickers drove the car in the season-opening Daytona 500 and again last weekend in Las Vegas. According to the Stewart-Haas Racing statement released yesterday, plans for an interim driver have not been finalized as Stewart begins his rehabilitation program.