NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Eric McClure, who missed last weekâ€™s race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, has been diagnosed with acute renal failure and will miss the race Friday night at Bristol Motor Speedway.

McClure was released from Bristol Regional Medical Center Tuesday night. He had been hospitalized since Aug. 12 because of elevated creatinine levels, which indicate improper kidney function.

When McClure will return to the seat of the car is uncertain. Former series champion Jeff Green will drive the Hefty/Reynolds Wrap-sponsored No. 14 car for TriStar Motorsports at Bristol.

McClure is 18th in the Nationwide Series standings.

â€œThis has been a very challenging week for me, both physically and emotionally,â€ McClure said in a statement. â€œHaving a newborn and four other little girls, among other things, has also presented a challenge to my family.

â€œRecovery can be a slow and frustrating process, but thankfully we are seeing signs of healing. I canâ€™t thank everyone enough for all of the prayers, thoughts, and well-wishes during this difficult time and I canâ€™t wait to be back behind the wheel.â€

McClure missed races last year because of internal injuries and concussion suffered from a hard crash at Talladega. He also battled the Esptein-Barr virus in 2011.