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Jamie Dick making first Xfinity Series start after diabetes diagnosis

John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 300 - Practice

John R. Elliott HERO Campaign 300 - Practice

Getty Images

After sitting out five races this year following his diagnosis of diabetes, Xfinity Series driver Jamie Dick will return to racing this weekend.

The Viva Motorsports driver will be back behind the wheel of his No. 55 Chevrolet for Sunday’s 3M 250 at Iowa Speedway, his first race since being diagnosed in March following the Xfinity race at Phoenix International Raceway.

Jeffrey Earnhardt and Brandon Gdovic substituted for Dick during his absence.

“I couldn’t be happier to get back in the car this weekend,” Dick said in a release. “I have been looking forward to this weekend since the day after Phoenix. There were a lot of unanswered questions when I was first diagnosed, but my focus quickly shifted to getting cleared to race.”

Dick finished 28th in Phoenix. He experienced exhaustion during the race and dizzy and weak while standing on his own after the race.

“With any new diagnosis, there is a lot to learn, but my doctors are doing a great job and the NASCAR staff has been great with showing me the path to getting healthy and back to driving,” Dick said. “Both Jeffrey and Brandon did a great job in running the races I had originally planned and our Viva Motorsports team is on a roll. Now its my turn to keep that going.”

Dick spoke with NASCAR Talk in April about his diagnosis and hopes for the future of his career.

“I have to get back, even if it is one time, just to say diabetes didn’t end my driving career,’’ Dick told NASCAR Talk then. “My driving career is going to end on my terms, what’s good for me and my family and my business, not what’s good for diabetes.

“Using diabetes as an excuse can’t start when I’m 26 because I don’t want it to be an excuse when I’m 36, 46 or 76.’’

Dick makes good on his desire at Iowa, where he’s raced four times. His best result is 24th in two races.

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