NASCAR: Stewart to miss start of season with back injury

Tony Stewart has been ruled out of the start of his final season in Sprint Cup following confirmation that he sustained a fractured vertebra in a non-racing accident last weekend.

Stewart-Haas Racing has confirmed that Stewart suffered a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra when he crashed an ATV while vacationing on Sunday.

He was transported to a local hospital following the accident and evaluated. According to the team, he was awake and alert throughout the process and able to move all of his extremities.

Stewart then flew to North Carolina Tuesday evening and was admitted to a Charlotte-area hospital for further evaluation. On Wednesday, he underwent surgery.

The subsequent recovery period means Stewart will miss the beginning of the Sprint Cup season. A timetable for his return has not been determined, but he is expected to make a full recovery and return to the No. 14 Chevrolet in 2016. Plans for an interim driver have not been finalized.