Kyle Larson out of hospital, still awaiting clearance to race

Sprint Cup Series driver Kyle Larson was released from a Charlotte hospital Monday after what his team called “extensive testing and observation,” but he is still awaiting medical clearance to return to NASCAR competition.

Larson was released from Carolinas Medical Center on Monday night and finished additional tests on Tuesday, according to a statement released Tuesday by Larson’s team, Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The statement said Larson was waiting for “final doctor recommendations in order to clear him to return to all NASCAR-related activities.”

Larson, 22, suffered a fainting spell Saturday afternoon during an autograph session at his merchandise hauler at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Larson was first taken to the track’s infield care center and then to Martinsville Memorial Hospital. Doctors there suggested Larson should see a neurologist, but the hospital did not have one available so he was transported Saturday night to CMC and remained there until Monday night.

In an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio before Sunday’s race, Sabates said doctors were “checking the heart area,” although he also said “nobody thinks it’s anything serious because his blood pressure has been pretty normal.”

Xfinity Series driver Regan Smith drove Larson’s No. 42 Chevrolet in Sunday’s race and finished 16th.

The next scheduled Cup race is April 11 at Texas Motor Speedway, and Larson would not need to be on-track again until practice on April 10.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 6:06 PM with the headline "Kyle Larson out of hospital, still awaiting clearance to race."