Greg Zipadelli, competition director for Stewart-Haas Racing, said after the race [at Watkins Glen] that the team would make its decision Monday afternoon on who will drive Stewarts car next weekend at Michigan International Speedway. Zipadelli also said he hoped to have the teams plans for the rest of the year set by Wednesday. Although no timetable has been set for Stewarts return, indications are its unlikely hell race again this season. ‘Some cards are falling by the hour’ Zipadelli said. ‘Well take (Sunday night) and work things out. I want to get with (Stewart), and make sure he agrees and is happy with what were going to do.” Zipadelli said he planned to talk to Stewart either Sunday night or Monday about the choice.( Motor Racing Network )(8-12-2013) UPDATE: As NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart continues to recover from a broken right tibia and fibula suffered in a sprint car crash Aug. 5 at Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Stewart-Haas Racing continues to field his #14 Chevy SS in the Sprint Cup Series. After veteran racer Max Papis drove the #14 Chevy to a 15th-place finish Sunday at Watkins Glen International to maintain the teams 11th-place standing in the Sprint Cup Series owner championship, SHR has named 23-year-old Austin Dillon interim driver of the #14 Mobil 1/Bass Pro Shops Chevy for the Pure Michigan 400 event Aug. 16-18 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn. Dillon is the 2011 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion and competes full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, where he currently leads the championship standings. SHR has not determined who the interim driver of the #14 Chevy will be for the Sprint Cup Series following race Aug. 24 at Bristol Motor Speedway.(Stewart-Haas Racing)(8-21-2013) UPDATE 2: Greg Zipadelli said the team expects to know more about Stewarts future after a doctors appointment Wednesday. Stewart was released Sunday night from a North Carolina hospital after a second surgery. ‘In the next couple of days, well probably be able to lay out the whole schedule’ Zipadelli said. There hasnt been a driver named for the Aug. 24 race at Birstol Motor Speedway as SHR considers substitutes for Stewart on a race-to-race basis. Zipadelli said Dillon could become the short-term answer if he performed well at Michigan. ‘Wed rather have one or two drivers if we can work it out, thatll give us some consistency and build some communication between the crew and driver and give us our best chance. Were working on some of that stuff now. It may be more than two, maybe three or four. If thats the case, well look at each individual racetrack and see whos available who runs best at the track and make the best choice we can.” Dillon also will be racing in Saturdays Nationwide event at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Because its the series debut at the track, he will have a full test day Thursday that will allow him to skip two Friday practices in his #3 Chevy while he practices and qualifies Stewarts car at Michigan.( USA Today )
