Stanaway to undergo neck treatment

Richie Stanaway is set to undergo treatment for a neck complaint tomorrow which is hoped to see him through the remainder of the Supercars season.

The Boost Mobile Racing driver underwent an MRI scan on Tuesday that has revealed the reasons for the neck pain that forced the driver to sit out Sunday’s action at the Truck Assist Winton Super Sprint.

As a result, Chris Pither was thrust into the #33 ZB Commodore as a replacement.

The neck injury flared up during a test day prior to the race weekend that forced him to abandon the outing.

According to medical information supplied to the team, the New Zealander has a protruding disc on the right hand side between Vertebra C6 and C7 in his neck, which is impacting a nerve.

Stanaway has now been referred to St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne where he is to see a neurosurgeon to complete treatment tomorrow to allow a pain free return to the cockpit for the remainder of the season.

The team has told Speedcafe.com that its driver is not expected to require surgery.

“The initial thought of Dr Carl Le is that surgery won’t be required,” team director Barry Rogers told Speedcafe.com.

“When necks and backs are involved it is always a concern because if there are severe issues it can have big ramifications.

“The number one thing is he is going to be okay and that is the most important thing, and it looks like it is quite fixable, which is good.”

The squad is optimistic Stanaway will return to #33 Holden for the BetEasy Darwin Triple Crown from June 14-16.