UPDATE: Truex Jr. has a small kidney stone but is not expected to miss the Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, a team spokesman said Saturday afternoon. Truex likely will pass the stone tonight but even if he doesnt, he should be cleared to drive. It would be a matter of pain tolerance because he cannot take strong pain medication and race or he could be in violation of NASCARs substance-abuse policy. Truex completed both practice sessions Saturday before going to Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin, Ga., because of the pain.(SceneDaily)(3-7-2009)
UPDATE 2: After suffering from sporadic bouts of intense pain during the final Sprint Cup practice session, #1-Martin Truex Jr. was taken by ambulance to Spalding Regional Medical Center in Griffin Saturday afternoon and diagnosed with kidney stones. He passed the offending stone at about 10pm/et and is ready to go racing today. Truex was examined and administered fluids while at Spalding Regional, then released shortly after 5pm/et. He passed the stone a few hours later. Driver spokesperson Amanda Jones said Truex was doing great Sunday morning and was eager to hit the track. Truex Jr. has been officially released by NASCAR to race in todays Kobalt Tools 500.(AMS Pit Notes)(3-8-2009)