AUTO RACING Nemechek to replace Nadeau next year

Kenny Brack remained in serious but stable condition after having surgery.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jerry Nadeau will take his time coming back to racing after a May wreck that nearly killed him. So, for now, his team is making plans to compete next season without him.
When Nadeau is cleared to race again, MB2 Motorsports said he would most likely compete in ARCA and Busch Series races. Select Nextel Cup events are also a possibility.
"I have repeatedly said that I will not rush back," Nadeau said. "I still have a ways to go, but I will get there. To be honest, the reality of not being able to come back sooner than I would have liked is hard to take. But I want to do this right."
Nadeau, 33, sustained head, lung and rib injuries in the May 2 accident during a practice session at Richmond (Va.) International Raceway. He spent 24 days in the hospital, another two weeks in a rehabilitation facility, and has been undergoing therapy on an outpatient basis since.
Nemechek to move in
Joe Nemechek will drive the No. 01 Pontiac in place of Nadeau next season in the Cup series. He'll take over driving duties the final month of this season, replacing Mike Skinner, the latest fill-in since Nadeau's wreck.
Nemechek owns a Busch Series car that Nadeau will likely drive when he is ready. Nadeau will also get assistance from Hendrick Motorsports, the team he used to drive for.
Since the accident, Nadeau has raced a bit at a Charlotte go-kart track to test his motor skills, but there's still no timetable for his return to full-time competition.
So the team has hired Nemechek, who was losing his job at Hendrick Motorsports at the end of this season to make way for 19-year-old phenom Brian Vickers.
Vickers had been scheduled to drive the final four races of this year in Nadeau's car, but will now get into the No. 25 Chevrolet as Nemechek moves over in a partnership worked out between Hendrick and MB2.
Brack stable after surgery
DALLAS -- Kenny Brack had surgery on his broken thigh and broken ankles following his horrific crash during the IRL season finale.
Doctors considered the surgery successful, IRL spokesman Tom Savage said Monday. The driver had surgery Sunday night and remained in serious but stable condition at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Savage added.
Brack also faces more surgery for a broken lower back and broken sternum. Doctors want to determine if Brack can be transferred to an Indianapolis hospital to treat those injuries.