CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Brett Bodine, injured in a crash during practice at Michigan International Speedway, was released from the hospital Wednesday after undergoing surgery for a broken collarbone.<br>
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A spokesman for Bodine's team said the owner-driver will begin physical rehabilitation on Monday, with a projected recovering time of three to four weeks.<br>
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Bodine underwent surgery Tuesday night on his right clavicle. A plate was inserted to help the bone heal correctly.<br>
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He crashed Saturday when it appeared his Ford ran over a piece of debris left on the track by another car, cutting his right front tire. The car swerved into the outside wall, then continued along the track and slammed hard head-on into a tire wall at the bottom of the banked track at the exit of Turn 2.<br>
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Bodine was briefly unconscious, but was awake and alert when he was transported by ambulance to a nearby hospital.<br>
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"I have seen the replay of the accident and realize how very fortunate I am," he said Wednesday. "I also am very appreciative of the wonderful job done by the folks at the Michigan infield care center and particularly by the NASCAR Medical Liaisons.<br>
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"That is a wonderful service NASCAR is providing for the drivers, families and teams. They took great care of me while I was in Michigan and have continued to follow up on my care."<br>
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Bodine, one of three racing brothers, was replaced in the car last Sunday in the Sirius Satellite Radio 400 by Geoffrey Bodine, who finished 39th after an engine vibration ended his day on the 120th of 200 laps.
