“Doctors are monitoring Oxygen level due to smoke inhalation”: Niece Motorsports share an important update on Matt Mills’ health
Niece Motorsports took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared an update on Matt Mills’ health. Mills would remain in the hospital overnight as doctors continued to monitor his oxygen level due to smoke inhalation.
Matt Mills is a 27-year-old NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver under Niece Motorsports. He was sent to the hospital after an early exit from the Homestead-Miami race last Saturday. His No. 42 Chevrolet Silverado hit the wall hard after Conner Jones wrecked his truck on lap 76.
The No. 42 truck then caught fire before being parked in the infield grass. Mills climbed out of the vehicle and was taken to the infield care center before moving to a local hospital.
In a statement by Niece Motorsports, the Truck Series team wrote:
“Matt Milles will again remain overnight at a local hospital for observation. Doctors continue to monitor Mills’ oxygen level due to smoke inhalation. Mills, driver of the No. 42 for Niece Motorsports, was transported on Saturday, October 26 and held for overnight observation after an incident in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway.”
The team concluded:
“Matt and team are thankful for the track safety crews, NASCAR medical team, and all hospital staff for the continued care.”
Following the incident on lap 76, NASCAR officials penalized Conner Jones for rough driving. The No. 66 ThorSport Racing Ford truck was held on pit road for two laps before returning to the track.
While Matt Mills had to settle with a DNF at the Baptist Health 200, Conner Jones finished 25th, with Grant Enfinger securing a back-to-back victory at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Jones declined to comment while speaking to reporters after the race.
Conner Jones issued an apology to Matt Mills on social media after the Homestead-Miami race
Conner Jones may not have addressed the issue post-race but the driver apologized to Matt Mills on X. The 18-year-old Virginia native admitted his unsportsmanlike behavior that put Mills out of the race early.
In a statement posted on X, Jones wrote:
"I have not yet had the chance to personally apologize to Matt for the incident that took place during today's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but I intend to do so. Matt and I have encountered several on-track incidents this season, and I let my frustration get the best of me. I underestimated the impact my actions would have on Matt, and I deeply regret the consequences that followed.”
The No. 66 driver also apologized to Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and his team ThorSport Racing before sending his thoughts to his fellow Truck driver. He added:
"I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to Matt, Niece Motorsports, NASCAR, and my entire ThorSport Racing team for my unsportsmanlike behavior. My thoughts are with Matt, during this time after hearing that he has been taken to the hospital for further evaluation following the contact on the racetrack.”
While Matt Mills recovers from a local hospital, the NASCAR Truck Series action will return to Martinsville Speedway on Friday for the third and final race of the Round of 8.