Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Sterling Marlin out for rest of season

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2002 | 9:33 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

Winston Cup driver Sterling Marlin, who suffered a fractured vertebra in an accident last month at Kansas Speedway, will not be allowed to return to the No. 40 Coors Light Dodge this season.

Marlin had hoped to get back into the car for the Nov. 30 Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway but doctors recommended he sit out for the remainder of the season.

Marlin was evaluated on Monday by neurosurgeon Dr. Jerry Petty and spinal injury specialist Dr. Dom Coric of the Carolina Neurological and Spinal Injury Clinic. Coric said Marlin's injury was healing properly but he must continue to wear a neck brace for two more weeks.

"The MRI showed the best-case scenario," Coric said. "Sterling is on target to make the recovery we want him to make."

Jamie McMurray will continue to drive the No. 40 Dodge for the balance of the season.

Marlin took over the Winston Cup points lead after the second race of the season and led for 25 straight races. He was fifth in points following his accident and 33rd-place finish at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 29.

Biffle is the third driver to get behind the wheel in place of the injured Jerry Nadeau. Ted Musgrave drove the car Sunday at Atlanta and Steve Grissom replaced Nadeau the week before at Martinsville.

"We're excited to have a driver with Greg's ability and enthusiasm drive the Georgia-Pacific Dodge," Kyle Petty, CEO of Petty Enterprises, said. "Ted did a really solid job for us at Atlanta and we appreciate that. We feel Greg is going to do very well for us at Rockingham, too."

Among the local drivers competing will be local Late Model track champion Thane Alderman, the father-son team of Steve and David Anderson and Mike Cofer.

Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. and racing begins at 5 both days.