Earnhardt/Stewart hospitalised after accidents.

Earnhardt/Stewart hospitalised after Daytona crashes.

Dale Earnhardt and Tony Stewart were taken to a local hospital in Daytona Beach Florida after two nasty looking accidents punctuated one of the best Daytona 500's ever seen around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway.

Amidst the cheers and celebrations of Michael Waltrip's No.15 NAPA Auto Parts crew there were some serious faces around Daytona in the immediate aftermath of the event as seven time Winston Cup Champion was cut from the wreckage of his No.3 Goodwrench Tools Chevrolet and taken to the nearby Halifax Medical Research centre after he became involved in a final turn pile-up with Ken Schrader in which the former speared across the front of Schrader's No.36 M&M's Pontiac and slammed hard into the outside retaining wall coming off Turn Four on the final lap of the 200 lap event.

As Waltrip crossed the line, just holding off Dale Earnhardt Jr, Schrader frantically beckoned the circuit workers as Earnhardt sat motionless in his car. No early reports are available as of yet on his condition.

Already in the Halifax Medical research centre is Tony Stewart, who has been diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder after his horrific looking end over end flip that was the catalyst for one of the biggest crashes seen at Daytona in recent years. Stewart was awake and alert as he left the Daytona International Speedway.

Further news when it becomes available.