Posted on 07/18/2004 10:54:47 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
Edited on 07/18/2004 11:16:00 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
SONOMA, Calif. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. was treated for minor burns on his face and legs and hospitalized after an accident Sunday during practice for the American Le Mans Series Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma.
Medical officials at Infineon Raceway described the injuries as ``moderate-sized burns of moderate intensity.'' Earnhardt was flown to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento for precautionary reasons.
During a 30-minute practice, Earnhardt's Chevrolet Corvette C5-R spun and hit a barrier in turn eight of the road racing track, catching fire. Earnhardt quickly got out of the car on his own before being assisted by safety crews.
Earnhardt, who regularly competes in the Nextel Cup Series, was to have driven in Sunday's ALMS race with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
Earnhardt Jr. burned in Grand Am practice crash
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive July 18, 2004
1:25 PM EDT (1725 GMT)
SONOMA, Calif. - Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered moderate burns to his facial and lower extremities Sunday morning in an accident during American LeMans Series practice at Infineon Raceway.
Track spokesman John Cardinale said Earnhardt was transported to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Infineon's designated hospital for burn treatment.
According to an American LeMans Series statement, Earnhardt was driving a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R in a 30-minute practice session when the accident occurred. The car spun and impacted a barrier in the Turn 8 section of the road-racing track, then caught fire. Earnhardt quickly exited the car on his own, and was then assisted by safety crews.
Earnhardt, who regularly competes in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series, was scheduled to co-drive in today's Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
How terribly distressing.
I'll be praying for him..!!
Thanks for posting this.
Stela? That you? Stela?
If it's not.....uh......well......uh......this message will self-destruct in a few seconds. Back away from the monitor. Now. :-)
Prayers for anyone injured, even an anti-Bush person like Dale. Get better soon.
You're most welcome.
Here's to a Prayer Bump for our troops and families too.
and the TT. :-)
Thanks...for all of it!
I didnt know he was anti-Bush. Please fill me in.
This must be terribly distressing for Jr.'s family. I pray he will heal quickly.
I've seen Junior pull off his gloves in Nextel races (in car cam).
As to the Corvette, Myth Busters put a couple of dead pigs in the seats of a 1987 'Vette and sealed the sucker up
in a shipping container for some months.
They were never able to get the smell out. I think they sold it for parts for maybe $3000.
It would be much more fun to burn a Corvette and see about getting it back in to usuable shape.
Good news is he can sit out next week's race if he wants and still stay within the 500 point differential between him and the 10th place driver to be part of the Chase.
Are the Corvettes stil made of fibre glass? That stuff burns fast once it gets lit off.
Seems awhile back, Jr said he thinks everyone should see Fahrenheit 911. That it was a great "bonding experience."
No one knows what was meant by that remark.
I have always been under the impression that he and his family are Republicans.
The Earnhardt family, as well as many of the Nascar drivers and fans, are Republicans. President Bush visited with Earnhardt's widow after his death. During an interview, Junior made a comment about encouraging others to see Fahrenheit 911, and to keep their "mind open". I have heard him say in an interview a couple months ago that he was Republican.
Just saw the video on CBS...he spun out and backed it into one of the barriers. Undercar cam showed fuel splash all over and CRUMP, the gas goes up. Closeup shows flames all in the cockpit and Jr. is just sitting there, making no move to get out, appears he was stunned momentarily by the impact. Seconds go by and then you see the door open and he falls out, half pulled away by track workers who have NO fire protection gear on, on guy just runs/jumps thru the flames and black smoke to get to him. Jr. crawls and get's dragged away from the flaming hulk...
Report from a DEI source at the hospital, some minor burns on his legs and arms. Man, those flames were ALL OVER the car in a flash...
Hope he's gonna be OK...
GRRRRR
PING
Sad to think he supports, or might support, that poor excuse for a human being, MM.
I was under the impression that Nascar folks, on the whole, are conservative, God fearing, Republican types.
When you're talking about racing fuel, everything is intense. It was extremely hot, and it took him several seconds to unharness himself from the seat. When he did get out, he fell flat on the ground, but walked assisted over to the safety barrier.
Never fear. According to the reports I have heard, he will be back racing next week.
Hooray for the U.S.! Although I must admit, I was really pulling for Ernie Els to dethrone Tiger Woods, but that would have taken a VERY miserable effort on Wood's part and a win on Els' part.
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