WELCOME, N.C. (May 10, 2005) -- Josh Yost, jackman for the No. 31 Cingular Wireless Chevrolet driven by Jeff Burton, who was injured on pit road after being struck by another car, will not return to competition this season following two surgeries to repair his heavily injured right ankle.

After being released from a Birmingham, Ala., hospital following the May 1 NASCAR Cup event at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, Yost was flown back to North Carolina to begin treatment at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

During the exploratory surgery performed May 3, it was discovered Yost’s injuries included two ruptured tendons, damaged ligaments, a severe laceration and a crushed fibula tip. Yost then underwent reconstructive surgery May 5 to repair the ankle and was released from the hospital the following day.

He has been instructed by his doctors to remain off of the ankle for six to eight weeks and can then begin the lengthy rehabilitation process.