Nemechek injuries worse than thought.

Joe Nemechek may be out of Winston Cup action for longer than expected after doctors in Delaware discovered that he had broken his elbow in Tuesday's testing crash.

According to sources, doctors at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Centre discovered a clean break in the driver's right elbow, which could keep him out of the cockpit for more than a fortnight. Nemechek has now been fitted with a protective cast to stabilise the injury but may miss the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte as well as this weekend's Winston as a result.

Nemechek was confirmed as having broken his right shoulder and bruised his lungs in the test crash at Dover Downs, which is understood to have been caused by a sudden deflation of one of his Busch Series Chevrolet's tyres. Out-of-control, the car turned sharply into the retaining wall between turns three and four of the Delaware circuit.

Team owner Andy Petree has yet to rule Nemechek out of action for the second Charlotte event, saying that he will speak with his driver and sponsor Oakwood Homes to determine whether a replacement will be called in. Bobby Hamilton Jr is expected to fill the #33 car's seat this weekend.

"We'll have to take a look at it, talk with Joe, see who is available should we need relief drivers, talk with Oakwood Homes and take it from there," Petree said, "We're certainly in no hurry to make a decision. We're set for this weekend."