Elliott Sadler suffers back injury, has to limit his time in car

JIM UTTER

The Charlotte Observer

Friday, Mar. 28, 2008

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• Entry list | Cars and drivers at Martinsville

MARTINSVILLE, Va. - Elliott Sadler took only a few laps and practice and qualified his No. 19 Dodge on Friday, but his participation in Sataurday’s practice sessions and Sunday’s race remained up in the air due to a lower-back injury he suffered earlier this week.

Gillett Evernham Motorsports has Craftsman Truck Series driver Dennis Setzer on standby if needed. Sadler hopes to be able to race Sunday, but team officials were making no guarantees.

Sadler began to experience discomfort Wednesday after a workout and some time on a golf course.

“What’s important, of course, is doing what’s best for Elliott to make sure that we don’t ... (aggravate) his injuries any further," said Mark McArdle, GEM’s vice president and managing director of competition.

"So, we’re taking medical advice to ensure that we do the right things in that regard.”

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