Video: Casey Stoner Crashes out of 2015 Suzuka 8 Hour Race

Casey Stoner's return to motorcycle racing didn't go as he had planned. After taking over for Takumi Takahashi in the early stages of this year's Suzuka 8 hour race, Stoner worked his way up to 1st position, but unfortunately crashed out at the Suzuka Hairpin—in the exact same spot that Yamaha Factory Racing Team's Pol Espargaró did on Friday. The crash ended the race for the MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO team, which was coming off two consecutive Suzuka 8 hour victories in 2013 and 2014.

Worse, Stoner almost immediately announced via Twitter that he had broken his scapula (shoulder blade) and fractured his left ankle. Stoner also suggested in his posts that the CBR1000RR's throttle had stuck open and that his only option was to lay the bike down. The team would go on to confirm Stoner's claim, saying in a press release that, "Together with HRC staff, the team checked the machine, and confirmed from the data that the throttle was 26 degrees open before the crash. It wasn’t clear why this happened and now the bike will be sent to HRC for a full inspection. HRC will communicate the findings to the media when there is more news."

Hit play on the video above to see the crash, then ask the question, what are the chances that Casey Stoner will have another go at the Suzuka 8 hour? Or attempt any other return to motorcycle racing? This one will probably leave a mark, but racers are known to be a bit of a different breed. Retired or not...

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