NASCAR Cup Series

Bayne returns to North Carolina

Published May. 5, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Roush Fenway Racing driver Trevor Bayne returned to North Carolina on Thursday afternoon after spending time in a Minnesota hospital.

Bayne will not compete in this weekend’s Nationwide Series race at Darlington Raceway. Chris Buescher, a Roush development driver who made his Nationwide debut at Richmond International Raceway last weekend and finished 17th, will substitute for Bayne again.

Bayne, 20, has been undergoing tests since last week at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for symptoms that include double vision, fatigue and numbness in his left arm. He will continue to be monitored closely by the Mayo Clinic team.

Though he is expected to return this season to Nationwide Series competition with Roush Fenway and Sprint Cup competition with Wood Brothers Racing, no timetable for his return has been set, according to a team release.

“Trevor Bayne was seen by a team of Mayo Clinic specialists where he underwent a series of tests and consultations over the last week,” said Mayo Clinic neurologist Brian Crum. “He was admitted after suffering from nausea, fatigue and vision impairment. Since his admission, the nausea and fatigue have abated, and the vision impairment continues to be treated with medication and is showing significant improvement.

“This symptom appears to be the result of an inflammatory condition. Further assessments will be made over the next couple of weeks. His condition is not life-threatening or career-ending. We expect he will continue to improve, though the time frame for his return to racing is unknown at this point. He will continue to be followed closely by his Mayo Clinic team."

Bayne was originally hospitalized at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after the Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 10 for what was thought to be a reaction to an insect bite.

Bayne tweeted an update on his condition Thursday before his flight back to North Carolina: "I know I'm right where God wants me to be! finally going back to nc today! Waiting patiently to get better! Thanks to everyone!"

His Nationwide teammate, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., later tweeted: "Missin @Tbayne21 on the road trip to darlington it was a fun one last year."

Bayne, who won the Daytona 500 with Wood Brothers Racing in February, is not scheduled to return to Sprint Cup action until May 21 in the Sprint all-star event.

Roush Fenway officials are unsure of Bayne’s status but are hopeful for his return for next week's Nationwide race at Dover International Speedway.

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