Sheltra Motorsports has issued the following press release on the condition of its driver Patrick Sheltra, who was involved in a late-race accident in Saturday’s ARCA Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona:

ARCA RE/MAX Series driver Patrick Sheltra remains hospitalized at a local Daytona Beach, Florida hospital Sunday evening following an incident in Saturday’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

The 22-year old driver underwent several tests Saturday night and into the day Sunday with most of the results returning negative. Nevertheless, Sheltra, the Indiantown, Florida native is suffering from a compression fracture in his back from injuries sustained in the first ARCA race of the season. At this time, no surgical procedures are planned for Sheltra, who finished 14th in Saturday’s race.

The family and the Whitesville, Kentucky-based Sheltra Motorsports team has expressed extreme gratitude and appreciation of Sheltra’s well-being and recovery. The outpouring support of emails, phone calls, prayers, text messages and voicemails have been overwhelming.

We are glad to hear that Patrick is doing relatively well and wish him a quick and full recovery.

The full statement can be found at PatrickSheltra.com.

James Buescher held off Joey Logano through a green-and-white, checkered finish to win the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 season-opener for the ARCA RE/MAX Series at Daytona Int’l Speedway. Pole-sitter Justin Lofton finished third.

The race restarted on the white flag lap after a red flag period halted the race with five laps to go. The red was brought out by a serious crash involving Patrick Sheltra and Larry Hollenbeck. Sheltra was running third when Logano attempted a pass on leader Buescher in the third and fourth turns. Exiting the fourth turn, Sheltra was tapped from behind by Lofton and spun out. Hollenbeck then hit the rear of Sheltra’s car at high speed.

Both drivers were cut from their cars and Hollenbeck waved to the crowd while being loaded into the ambulance. No word was given on Sheltra’s condition.

UPDATE 7:20pm ET — SPEED TV reports both drivers are alert and conscious.

UPDATE 11:25pm ET — ARCA has released the following statement regarding the condition of their drivers injured in today’s race at Daytona:

ARCA RE/MAX Series drivers Patrick Sheltra and Larry Hollenbeck have been admitted to a local hospital following a late race accident at Daytona International Speedway. Both drivers were conscious and alert when transported and will remain overnight for further evaluation. The families of both drivers reported they are in good spirits.

Fifty-four drivers have entered for Saturday’s Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 ARCA race at Daytona Int’l Speedway.  Pole qualifying is scheduled for Friday at noon and when complete, more than ten drivers will have to go home.

Included in the entry list are some familiar names:  9-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel will return in the #44 Ford, Bobby Gerhart will be going for his 6th ARCA Daytona 200 victory, and defending race champion Michael Annett will drive a Toyota.

Also entered are Joey Logano, Ricky Carmichael, and Chase Mattioli.  Logano won in his ARCA debut last season in the Carolina 500 at Rockingham, and is fresh off of a disqualification in the Toyota All-Star Showdown two weeks ago at Irwindale Speedway.  Carmichael, a Motocross and Supercross champion many times over, will pilot a Kevin Harvick entry.  And Mattioli is the grandson of Dr. Joseph Mattioli, owner of Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, PA.

One driver not in the entry list is defending ARCA series champion Justin Allgaier.  Allgaier, who participated in last month’s Chili Bowl, will be concentrating on the NASCAR Nationwide Series this year, driving for Roger Penske.

The full entry list is available online at ARCA Racing.com.