Austin Theriault was scheduled to drive the #52 Rick Ware Racing Chevrolet in Sunday's Hollywood Casino 400 at Kansas Speedway, but instead, Garrett Smithley will drive the car at Kansas. Theriault released a statement via social media, revealing he has not been medically cleared to contest the Kansas race.
“Following the wreck at Talladega Superspeedway, the NASCAR medical team has not cleared me to return this weekend at Kansas Speedway,” a statement from Theriault, shared on Twitter [@Austin Theriault], read. “I’ll be handing the keys over to Garrett Smithley this weekend. I know he’ll represent all of us at RWR and Bangor Savings Bank extremely well. I’m looking forward to the rest of the year. this includes highlighting the great work of the Travis Mills foundation when we run with their colors on the car at the season finale championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway."
Theriault was among the drivers involved in a multi-car crash on lap 163 of the 1000Bulbs.com 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 14. The nature and extent of his injury(ies) have not been disclosed.
Smithley has contested 10 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races in 2019, the most recent five of those for Rick Ware Racing. He has a best finish of 28th at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. His most recent race was Oct. 6 at Dover International Speedway.
Theriault has contested five Cup Series races this year, all with RWR. His best finishes were 32nd-place showings at Michigan International Speedway and Richmond Raceway.
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