Edwards injured in dirt track race

NASCAR driver Carl Edwards was released early Monday from an Omaha, Neb., hospital after being injured Sunday night in a dirt track race in nearby Greenwood, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Details of the injury were not immediately available. Edwards’ younger brother, Kenny Edwards, told the Omaha World-Herald it could be a dislocated thumb, caught in the steering wheel during a crash.

Randy Fuller, Edwards’ Roush Racing spokesman, told the Missourian on Monday night that Edwards did not break any bones. He also said Edwards’ injury would not prevent him from participating in this weekend’s Busch Series and Nextel Cup races in Indianapolis. Edwards will sit out Thursday’s USAC Silver Crown Race, however.

The injury occurred early during Sunday’s race, spoiling a fun evening for the Edwards family. For the first time, Carl Edwards Sr. was racing against his two sons, Carl and Kenny.

Carl Edwards hit the back of another car that had spun out in the third lap, starting a 10-car pileup that battered his car. He walked away from the crash, and after getting treatment at the I-80 Speedway, Edwards left the 25-lap race in the back of an ambulance.

The injury did not preoccupy Edwards. Before heading to the hospital in the ambulance, he waved to the crowd.

A prior rain delay of 45 minutes had left a slick surface on the track.

Lora Ullerich, a spokeswoman for Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, confirmed Monday that Edwards had been treated and released, but did not give further details, citing confidentiality rules.

Fuller said he and Edwards would issue a press release today addressing the injury.

Edwards, ranked fifth in the Nextel Cup standings and leading the Busch standings, was scheduled to be in Milwaukee on Monday for performance testing.

Edwards finished sixth at the Busch Gateway 250 on Saturday night, leading for seven laps but rubbing against the wall late.