MARTINSVILLE, Va. – Matt Tifft was taken to a local hospital prior to opening practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday morning at Martinsville Speedway.

Tifft, 23, was taken from the team hauler to the infield care center roughly a half hour before the scheduled start of the first practice session at the .526-mile oval.

He stayed in the care center for a short period before then being transported to the hospital.

A Front Row Motorsports spokesperson confirmed that two-time NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series champion Matt Crafton will fill in for Tifft behind the wheel of the No. 36 Ford Mustang until Tifft is able to return to action this weekend.

It’s the second time Crafton has filled in for an ailing driver in recent weeks. He substituted for Paul Menard in the Wood Brothers No. 21 Ford at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway two weeks ago, after Menard battled neck issues during that event.

As of press time, no information has been released on Tifft’s condition or what transpired to necessitate the infield care center visit.

Tifft, competing in his rookie Cup Series season, has one top-10 finish this year in 31 starts. That run of ninth came at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway in July.

This story will be updated.