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Bobby Labonte released from hospital, will miss race

Jeff Gluck
USA TODAY Sports
Bobby Labonte broke three ribs in a bicycle accident.
  • The 2000 Cup champion was cycling near his home in Trinity%2C N.C.
  • He will be hospitalized overnight for observation
  • His streak of 704 consecutive Cup starts was snapped in June

Former NASCAR champion Bobby Labonte was released Thursday from a hospital after breaking three ribs in a cycling accident near his Trinity, N.C., home Wednesday morning.

Labonte spokesman Jeff Dennison said the 2000 Cup Series champion won't be able to race this weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where he was slated to drive Phoenix Racing's No. 51 car. Mike Bliss will drive in his place.

An avid cyclist, Labonte was transported to the hospital via ambulance following the accident. He was held overnight for observation and had no other injuries, Dennison said.

Labonte, 49, has 21 career Cup victories but none since 2003. He has driven JTG Daugherty Racing's No. 47 car for most of this season, though his streak of 704 consecutive starts was snapped when A.J. Allmendinger replaced him at Kentucky in June.

Follow Jeff Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck

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