Tony Stewart undergoes third surgery on right leg

Tony Stewart had a third surgery on his damaged right leg early Monday, Stewart-Haas Racing said in a statement.

The procedure was termed a "proactive measure" to examine and close a wound on his shin. Stewart is still recovering from a badly broken leg – a fractured tibia and fibula – he sustained in an Aug. 5 sprint car crash in Iowa.

Stewart will remain hospitalized for observation, the team said.

Two previous surgeries in August stabilized Stewart's leg with a metal rod. He began physical rehabilitation for the injury two weeks ago.

Stewart is still expected to return by next season's Daytona 500, the team said Monday.

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