BUSCH: Christian Elder sidelined until neck healed

Christian Elder to sit out until neck injury corrected mark green to fill in.

May 30, 2002 -- Mooresville, NC - NASCAR Busch Series driver Christian Elder has been diagnosed with herniated cervical discs in his neck, which will keep him from racing the #38 Great Clips Ford until the injury is fully treated and corrected.

There are discs between each of the seven vertebrae of the cervical spine that act as shock absorbers in the neck. A herniated disc is a displacement of that cushioning substance between the vertebrae into the spinal canal or nerve passageway. Surgery is his most likely remedy.

Elder is 33 years old and a native of Bloomington, Minnesota currently living in the Charlotte area. Tests completed this week will determine the full extent of his injury and how best to proceed to correct it. He is under the care of Dr. Jerry Petty and Dr. E. Hunter Dyer of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates.

Mark Green, who started this season with Akins Motorsports and Elder as spotter, shock specialist and driver coach, will drive the Akins Motorsports Great Clips Ford while Elder is treated and recovers from the injury.

Elder has not raced since he was involved in a wreck at California Speedway April 27th. "I haven't felt the same or quite right since the California race," said Elder.

".It's unsettling to find out you have an injury of this nature at any time, but when you're a race driver, you don't want this kind of news in the middle of the racing season. At the same time, I am very lucky to have been diagnosed - knowing that another accident could have made it worse. Right now, I am anxious to get the medical procedures and rehabilitation behind me so I can get back behind the wheel."

"Mark Green has been my driving coach this year and has driven our car several times. He's the perfect choice to take over for me while I'm out."

"My doctors tell me they have successfully treated other drivers and football players with this injury and that I should expect to be out two to three months. I'm shooting to be back by September."

Elder's long time sponsor, Great Clips look forward to getting him back in their car, "All of us at Great Clips Inc., and at our 1600 salons across the United States and Canada, are pulling for Christian to be back in the Great Clips Ford as soon as possible this year and to be ready to tackle the full Busch Series schedule for us in 2003."

"We are fortunate to have a seasoned driver in Mark Green to fill in during Christian's absence," said Terri Miller, Great Clips. Vice President of Marketing.

His Akins Motorsports team also is ready to help him get back on the track. "We are glad that Christian's injury was diagnosed while there is a high percentage of it being repaired and before any more damage could occur." said team owner Brad Akins. "We'll be there to help him through recovery, both on and off the track."

"Our expectation is that Christian will be back behind the wheel again this year," said General Manager Doug Stringer. .We will anxiously wait for his recovery and are one hundred percent behind him through this."

-am-