69%??! Wow. I can't imagine he'd be able to suit up and race next week, especially as hot as it can get in a car. Even "moderate" burns have got to be pretty painful for quite a while. I'm very concerned about him but glad that so far the reports, other than that number itself, are sounding positive.
PS Latest version of story at Nascar.com says he'll be hospitalized "overnight for observation."
Yes that number came when CBS signed off from the televised portion of the race at Sonoma about 40 minutes ago.
It seems like a high number to me. But after seeing the replay of that fire it's very possible. I wish someone had a screen capture of the fire in the car so those who missed it could see just how big the flames were.
If you have second degree burns, then you most probably have a lot of first degree burns also- hard not to. If it was SeeBS, they were probably talking out their @$$, but even if the 69% figure was correct, it could be lot of first and some second degree over 69% which would be better than second degree over 69%.
But you're right. No matter what, first and second degree is going to be painful and getting them heated up in a racing suit and hot car would make it all the more painful, so racing next week should *not* be the first thing on his mind... but then again, you know those Earnhardts.