ATLANTA - MARCH 05: Brian Vickers, driver of the #83 Red Bull Toyota, sits in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Kobalt Tools 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 5, 2010 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

As many of you know by now Brian Vickers has been admitted to hospital for blood clots found to be near his lungs, and reportedly in his legs.

Vickers had some discomfort in his chest on Tuesday and felt it again on Wednesday while waiting to visit the Walter Reed Medical Centre in Washington with a US Congressman.

After consultation with his physician over the phone Vickers reported to an emergency room where the blood cots were eventually found.

Brian is now being treated and will miss the race this week at Dover.  His status for anything beyond this weekend is not certain.

Casey Mears has been hired to take his place until he is able to return to his #83 Red Bull Toyota.

Vickers' condition certainly has raised concern in the NASCAR community about the possibility of other drivers suffering similar fates as the nature of the sport of stock racing lends itself to exposure to Deep Vain Thrombosis (blood clots in the legs) which then can travel to the lungs.

People are more prone to blood clots in the legs when they have been sitting for long periods of time which is what driving a race car is all about.

Typically it isn't the blood clot in the leg itself that is worrisome, it is when it moves from the leg to the heart and lungs:

"A blood clot (thrombus) in the deep venous system of the leg is not dangerous in itself. The situation becomes life-threatening when a piece of the blood clot breaks off (embolus, pleural=emboli), travels downstream through the heart into the pulmonary circulation system, and becomes lodged in the lung."  (via medicinenet.com) 

I'm certainly glad that Brian is OK and on the road to recovery, who knows what could have happened if he had not consulted with his physician when he did.  This is another example of the positive effects of being pro-active with your health.

Perhaps what Vickers is going through will raise some concern in the NASCAR garage and those involved in the sport will be more aware of the situation and institute some sort of proactive program to help drivers combat this potential problem.