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Matt Kenseth’s spotter, Chris Osborne, to return to Martinsville after serious car wreck

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The car the Osborne family was in when hit by an alleged drunk driver on Dec. 17.

This is a weekend that has Melissa and Chris (spotter for Matt Kenseth in the Sprint Cup Series) and their son Austin, feeling blessed.

All three family members suffered serious injuries when their car was hit by an alleged drunk driver on Dec. 17 near their home in Sophia, North Carolina.

The driver of the car that struck the one the Osborne’s were riding in is slated to appear in court on Monday to answer DUI charges for what will be the third time since 2006.

Chris Osborne’s right leg was shattered in the crash, requiring 25 screws to hold a rod and plates in place. Austin suffered a partially collapsed lung, a bruised sternum, a concussion, a broken nose, a bruised shoulder and lost a couple of teeth.

Chris and Austin were in the front seat when the alleged drunk driver hit them head on at approximately 60 mph, according to police investigators.

But it was Melissa, who was sitting in the back, who suffered the worst injuries, including nine broken ribs, as well as a broken shoulder, broken hip, broken pelvis and broken right elbow that all required reconstructive surgery and significant recovery and rehabilitation.

While all three family members continue their respective recoveries, Chris Osborne – who is still wearing an air cast on his right leg and will likely use either a walker or cane – will return to a racetrack for the first time since the accident for this coming weekend’s race action at Martinsville Speedway.

Having been cleared by his doctors two weeks ago to return to the job he loves, Osborne will spot for Daniel Suarez in Saturday’s Camping World Truck Series race, as well as for Kenseth in Sunday’s Sprint Cup race at the half-mile bullring.

Click here to check out what the Osborne family has gone through the last three-plus months in a story by ESPN.com’s Bob Pockrass.

Follow @JerryBonkowski