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 The team has withdrawn the car from the race.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 The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
Are you kidding me? He'll be in the car next week - I have NO doubt.
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.
Never fear. According to the reports I have heard, he will be back racing next week.
Thanks Spacetrucker!
I was thinking about those points and Bobby Chang said that he can sit out next Sunday's race and still be in the running. It's always a worry.
I just pray that he is ok and will be released soon.
I'm sure it was a misunderstanding of his words. I am pretty sure they are all Conservative in that family. One can only hope. :)
I was mainly referring to the medical reports. Knowing what I know of Earnhardt, if he can hold on to the steering wheel and lift his finger to push the start button, HE WILL BE IN THAT RACE CAR.
Indie he is not anti Bush.
He has said publically he is a Republican.
He has gone to Walter Reed Army Hospital with Republican Senators to visit the wounded and really lifted their spirits.
He did radio spots for Jeb Bush when he was running for Governor.
And, I'm sure there is more we don't know.
I think this thread should be for those who wish to send heartfelt prayers for a speedy recovery to Jr and his family. They have had enough heartbreak.
PLEASE!!!!! LET'S MAKE THIS A BASHING FREE THREAD
(and to those others who pick a bad time to put someone down) It's really in bad taste!!
Prayers going out for the healing of these burns and any other injury he may have sustained.
I guess he couldn't get used to turning right.
GRRRR --
For YEARS I worked as a nationally licensed SCCA corner worker, primarily in GA, FL, NC, SC. We ALWAYS wore adequate fire protection for a rescue. We were trained first responders and knew how to extract a driver in seconds by blowing a hole in the fire with the dry chem extinguishers, and then getting the driver out. We all knew the driver had UP TO 30 seconds in a two-layer fire suit, maybre :45 in a three layer. First person to the car had the fire bottle, second got the driver.
In a closed cockpit car you are not required to have a closed face helmet, but you are stupid not to. (hopefully THAT rule has changed!)
If this was a practice session, then the REAL corner workers might not have been on the track. When I used to race, I was always a little uneasy when the corners workewrs were not the real deal.
Not just right turns, but elevation changes as well. That course is nearly as challenging as Road Atlanta.
Man that was some fire!!! He hit the back end against the barrier which must have ruptured the fuel tank, fuel spurting everywhere then fire everywhere!! He was surrounded by fire in the cockpit.
I have never seen a fire like that during the Nascar races. Although they have fire extinquishers in those cars.
The car was completed burned!!
Thank you Lord for protecting him, giving him the strength to get out of there on his own and for a speedy recovery.
Those pesky barriers...
Yeah, WSG I thought you would appreciate it more once you saw the video...very scary, that closeup thru the windshield just showed him SITTING THERE!! He had to be dazed for a second. Blue, that corner worker was on the other side of the wall and jumped over some tires. Wearing pants and shirt sleeves, he jumped over some of the fire and went to the car. There were a couple of other workers in proper gear with extinguishers going at it too, but the fire was ALL over the car, Jr, tumbles out the door and they dragged him away...I really hope he's OK.
"Are the Corvettes stil made of fibre glass? That stuff burns fast once it gets lit off."
Well, this was a Corvette GT racing car, so I don't know how much of a real production Corvette it involves. In any case it certainly looke to have fibreglass or (quite likely) carbon fibre bodywork, and yes, it burned off pretty quick.
"PLEASE!!!!! LET'S MAKE THIS A BASHING FREE THREAD"
I agree, but it'll never happen. Some people can use a thread about just about anything to bash something.
Personally, I'm a race fan, not Nascar particularly but other kinds, and I don't care if the driver in question is a flaming lefty, I don't want to see anyone burning up in a crash.
Breaking news only on Sunday!!!!
LOL!
Since when is my post bashing..
Update: Second degree burns over 69% of his body. Staying overnight at hospital.
They say he will be able to race at New Hampshire next Sunday, and knowing him he will be there!!!
Which is what I did. Come down off the high horse.
Indie I said "to others" re: bashing.
I posted to you that he wasn't anti Bush with some examples.
Those cars have fuel cells. They are pretty well designed. I wonder what happened for it to rupture?
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