NASCAR: Tony Stewart Possibly Out of Action for Start of Chase After Breaking His Leg [Video]

Stewart-Haas Racing is preparing for life without Tony Stewart as he may be out of action for the start of "The Chase for the the Sprint Cup" after suffering a broken leg in a crash in a sprint car race, Monday night in Iowa.

Stewart, currently 11th in the Sprint Cup standings, underwent a second surgery Tuesday night to have his right tibia and fibula repaired.

"We will have a much better idea of what the healing process will be and will be able to do a better job," said Stewart-Haas Racing competition director Greg Zipadelli. "Is it six weeks or is it longer? Honestly, we do not have an answer for that right now."

Zipadelli acknowledged that Stewart would miss several weeks and has tapped Max Papis to drive the No. 14 in this weekend's Cheez-It 335 At The Glen. Papis, a road course specialist, has had 35 career Cup starts, with his best finish an eighth place finish on road course at Watkins Glen International race track.

"Obviously I'm not going to go out there to run 20th or 25th," said Papis. "I'm going to go out there to make everyone proud and do the best job I can, and I know that my best job is pretty good. I have confidence in what I can do."

Stewart-Haas Racing is looking for other drivers to fill in while Stewart heals. With the 11th spot in the standings, Stewart holds the number one wild-card position in The Chase (the NASCAR "playoffs" with the Top 10 drivers and two wild-cards racing for the season championship).

Stewart's replacement must also represent the brands of who sponsor the No. 14 - Mobil 1 and Bass Pro Shops - according to the high performance - on-the-track and off-the-track - that the three-time Sprint Cup champion has set for his race team.

"Let's face it, everybody first and foremost is worried about how soon is he going to be back," said Zipadelli. "He is a crucial part of Stewart-Haas Racing. He's the man. Everybody right now has pulled together and is doing whatever it takes to get this car to Watkins Glen and have the best day we can there."