Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

Bruce Transportation Group Honda’s Marty Craggill will not race in the AMA National event at Daytona International Speedway March 5-9 due to recent surgery on his back.

Bruce Crew Chief Joey Osowski told Roadracingworld.com that Craggill, 34, suffered with a pinched nerve in his neck during off-season testing. “It was bothering him before the last test at Fontana (California Speedway, February 5-6). That’s why he only rode the morning of the second day.”

Craggill had been seen by a doctor prior to that test, and the doctor, according to Osowski, told Craggill that the problem could get better on its own. The Bruce team then went to participate in a three-day test at Laguna Seca Raceway in late-February.

“Marty went out and did nine laps on the first morning, came in and he couldn’t lift his head, he was in so much pain,” said Osowski from his Whittier, California race shop. “At that point it was like, you have to go get this thing taken care of now, before it gets too late.”

Craggill had a MRI scan and was diagnosed with a pinched nerve in his neck. On February 20, Craggill had minor surgery to “remove a disc from his back,” reported Osowski, who did not know the name of Craggill’s doctor or which California hospital Craggill received care at.

“He’s doing a lot better,” said Osowski. “He’s up and driving and everything. He’s swimming for rehab, and has an appointment next week to see when he will be able to ride a bike again. We’re hoping to catch a track day out here (California) later this month and be ready for the Fontana race (April 4-6).”

Although the Bruce team originally considered fielding Craggill on a Honda CBR954RR in the Daytona 200 Superbike race, the team had abandoned those plans before Craggill’s injury became a problem. Craggill did intend to race in the Supersport event at Daytona and campaign the entire AMA Supersport and Formula Xtreme series.

The first round of the Formula Xtreme series takes place at California Speedway.

Craggill is a former Australian Superbike Champion.