Update: Why John Wes Townley had to sit out Truck Series race at Kentucky

By foxsports
Published

John Wes Townley did not race in Thursday night's Camping World Truck Series race at Kentucky Speedway based on the recommendation of a respected neurosurgeon who examined the NASCAR driver after Townley complained of concussion-like symptoms earlier this week.

Team officials told FOX Sports prior to Thursday's race that Townley apparently suffered the injury in a late accident during the previous Friday night's Truck Series race at Gateway Motorsports Park near St. Louis. They told FOX Sports pit reporter Kaitlyn Vincie that although Townley initially was treated and released at the Gateway infield care center following the incident -- and a fight with fellow driver Spencer Gallagher that followed it -- Townley began experiencing the "concussion-like symptoms" the following day.

At that point, Townley visited his own private physician. And the following day, last Tuesday, he called NASCAR to inform them of the pain he was experiencing and the steps he had taken.

NASCAR then urged Townley to be examined by Dr. Jerry Petty, a neurosurgeon based in Charlotte, North Carolina, who is best known in NASCAR circles for treating Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a concussion Earnhardt suffered in 2012 after a crash in a practice session at Kansas Speedway. Earnhardt made headlines at the time for sitting out two races during the Chase for the Sprint Cup, based on Petty's recommendation.

After examining and evaluating Townley, Petty recommended that Townley not get behind the wheel of a race car for at least this weekend. Townley also was slated to drive in Saturday night's ARCA race at Iowa Speedway, where he will be replaced by Cole Custer.

Townley's team released a statement on Wednesday saying that the driver is undergoing treatment for a possible concussion and that he would not compete in Thursday's race.

Parker Kligerman replaced Townley behind the wheel of the No. 05 Jive Communications Chevrolet in the Buckle Up In Your Truck 225 at Kentucky.

Townley has not competed in a NASCAR event since his well-publicized fight with Gallagher after the two wrecked each other twice during the June 25 NCWTS race at Gateway. Townley was fined $15,000 and placed on probation through Dec. 31 by NASCAR for his role in the fight.

The team said that Townley hopes to return to competition in time to drive in the Truck Series race at Eldora Speedway on Wednesday, July 20.