Anthony Davidson returns to racing 7 months after scary Le Mans crash, broken back

51b6977d-Grand Am Daytona 24 Hours Auto Racing

Drivers of the 8 Star Motorsports Corvette DP, from left, Nicolas Minnassian, of France, Enzo Potolicchio, of Venezuela, Anthony Davidson, of England and Stephane Sarrazin, of France, sign autographs for fans prior Grand-Am Series Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

Driver's Anthony Davidson, left, of England, and Nicolas Minassian, of France, talk in their pit stall during a practice session for the Rolex 24 hour auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Forgive Anthony Davidson for being a little rusty behind the wheel.

It was just seven months ago that Davidson broke two vertebrae in his lower back in a horrific crash at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Englishman spent four days in a French hospital, six weeks in a full-body cast, another two weeks in a soft shell and then months recovering and rehabbing.

He made his return in the Rolex 24 at Daytona — and things went better than he anticipated.

Davidson drove five mostly trouble-free stints in the twice-around-the-clock endurance race. His 8 Star Motorsports team was poised to finish well behind the leaders in the Daytona Prototype class. But for Davidson, being back in the car overshadowed being in the back of the field.