A freak accident at his home will sideline BMW’s Bill Auberlen at Road America, where he was set to drive the Turner Motorsport BMW M6 GT3 with Robby Foley.

Auberlen was doing some home repairs when he had a minor fall.

“All these years racing cars and I slip off a ladder at home,” the 49-year-old Auberlen said. “I’m a little sore and wanted to race, but BMW of North America suggested I sit this one out to be 100 percent ready for the next race at VIR.”

Markus Palttala will substitute for Auberlen in the No.96 BMW M6 GT3 this weekend. Palttala, who took the No.96 to Victory Lane at Watkins Glen, won at Road America in 2014 with co-driver Dane Cameron behind the wheel of their Championship-winning BMW Z4.

This is only the second race the veteran has missed in his career; he was sidelined in August 2001 after a crash at Mosport. In Auberlen’s most recent start at Lime Rock, first-lap contact with Meyer Shank Racing’s Lawson Aschenbach caused heavy suspension damage and put the No. 96 last in the 18-car field.

Auberlen is the all-time leader in North American sports car pole positions with 43 and is second in North American sports car wins with 58, two behind Scott Pruett.