Greg Pickett to miss remainder of season due to lower back injury

Muscle Milk Team CytoSport’s Greg Pickett will miss the remainder of the 2010 American Le Mans Series championship after being diagnosed with rib and back injuries overnight.

Pickett, who was involved in a massive shunt near the end of Thursday’s promoter test session at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, underwent further evaluation Friday afternoon at Mansfield Hospital.

After having a cat scan and x-rays it was discovered he had a compression fracture to the L3 vertebrae as well as fractures to his seventh and eighth left side ribs.

Although Pickett is mobile and able to walk freely, he will miss the remaining three races on the schedule as the recovery period is three to four months.

The Muscle Milk Team CytoSport driver will be consulting with a spinal specialist in the next few days to determine if he must undergo surgery.

The team is currently working closely with Porsche on finding a replacement driver that will complement Klaus Graf as well as maximize the Porsche RS Spyder’s performance. An announcement should be made in the next week.

The team’s regular third driver Sascha Maassen is unavailable for the next two races.

What they had to say:

 Greg Pickett, Owner / Driver #6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder

“I was fortunate to have Scott (Sharp)’s doctor, Frank Bono, come and see me yesterday. He suggested I go to the hospital for a further evaluation. I’m very grateful and appreciative that he coordinated everything.

“With the cat scan and x-rays they saw that I had a compression fracture to the third vertebrae and two broken ribs which will be keeping me out of the car for three to four months. I’m happy that these are the only injuries I had and so grateful that the Porsche RS Spyder did what it had to do to keep me safe.”

Geoffrey Carter, Team Manager #6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder

“We’re really sad to hear that Greg was in fact injured in Thursday’s crash but it is not surprising that he suffered these types of injuries with the impact he had. Fortunately, thanks to the safety aspects of the Porsche RS Spyder, those are the only injuries he suffered.

“We wish Greg a speedy recovery and can’t wait to have him back in the car. In the meantime we are working with Porsche on finding a replacement driver for the remainder of the season that will be a good complement to Klaus. We will announce that hopefully this week.”

© RIF | ALMS