NASCAR’s Off-Week Brings Relief for Banged-Up Field

NASCAR Off-Week Brings Relief for Banged-Up Field David Jensen - Getty Images An off-weekend for NASCAR’s Cup Series allowed more healing time for two drivers injured in the off-season, while the stand-alone O’Reilly Auto Parts and Craftsman Truck series event at Rockingham Speedway provided an opportunity for an injured crew chief to return to the track. Scott Zipadelli, crew chief for Kaden Honeycutt, suffered severe leg injuries five days before the season opener at Daytona in a dirt bike crash and has been focused on his duties from TRICON Garage in Mooresville, North Carolina. In the accident, Zipadelli shattered the top of his left tibia, breaking it down toward his ankle.

He dislocated his knee which created internal damage and suffered multiple bone chips on his femur. “It’s just really exhausting being on crutches all day, and my body’s trying to heal and I’m trying to work and do too much. By the end of the day, I’m just completely exhausted,” Zipadelli told NASCAR.

com. Zipadelli returned to the track for Rockingham’s Black’s Tire 200 which was won by Corey Heim. The Truck Series defending champion edged Honeycutt at the checkered flag by 0.

090 second for the victory and a $100,000 bonus in the Craftsman Truck Series Triple Truck Challenge. Heim won $50,000 at Darlington, the first event in the three-race series. If Heim wins the April 10 Tennessee Army National Guard 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Heim will receive a $500,000 bonus for winning all three races comprising the Triple Truck Challenge.