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Tony Stewart Will Not Race Daytona 500 Because of Back Injury

Tony Stewart will miss the start of his final Nascar season after fracturing his back in an accident on an all-terrain vehicle, Stewart-Haas Racing said Thursday.

Stewart, a three-time Nascar champion, sustained a “burst fracture of the L1 vertebra” when he crashed Sunday, and he had surgery Wednesday, the team said. A timetable for Stewart’s return has not been determined, but the team said he was expected to make a full recovery and race this year.

Drivers report to Daytona next week to begin preparations for the season-opening Daytona 500 on Feb. 21. An interim driver for the No.