Hendrick out six weeks; Hornaday to sub

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Hendrick Motorsports driver Ricky Hendrick, who dislocated his right shoulder in Saturday's NASCAR Busch Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, will undergo arthroscopic surgery Wednesday to repair ligament damage in his shoulder.

The driver of the No. 5 GMAC Chevrolet is expected to make a full recovery, but will be out approximately six weeks, according to doctors.

Two-time NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday, who drove a Hendrick truck in the season-opening Florida Dodge Dealers 250 at Daytona International Speedway, has been named to replace Hendrick.

"Ricky is going to be just fine," said his father Rick Hendrick, Hendrick Motorsports' founder and CEO. "He's just disappointed about missing races."

If he is out six weeks, Hendrick will miss events at Darlington Raceway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway and Nashville Superspeedway. He would be back in time for the April 20 event at Talladega Superspeedway.

Hendrick said his race car may have encountered oil on the track, collected Tony Raines' No. 33 Bayer Chevrolet and hit the wall as he came into Turn 1 on lap 117, sliding for more than 500 feet before coming to a stop in Turn 2.

A team report said Hendrick's car, in compliance with NASCAR rules, carried a crash data recorder. Initial figures from the device indicated the car sustained an impact of 50 Gs.

NASCAR only began using data recorders in all vehicles in its three national touring series this season, after testing them at the end of 2001.

Hendrick was transported to the track's Infield Care Center and later transferred to University Medical Center in Las Vegas for precautionary X-rays.

After returning home to Charlotte, N.C., Hendrick visited specialists who recommended the surgery, to be performed by Dr. Donald D'Alessandro of Miller Orthopedic Clinic.

"I'm here to do anything I can do to support Rick Hendrick and Ricky," Hornaday said. "It's a great feeling to know that Hendrick Motorsports thinks that much of me.

"I know they have they best equipment in NASCAR racing and I'm proud to be able to get into a Hendrick car to show my talent until Ricky's ready to come back."

"Ron is a proven veteran who's been instrumental in the careers of many young drivers, including Ricky's," the elder Hendrick said. "Hendrick Motorsports and the team's sponsors are proud to put him behind the wheel until Ricky's return."