Eric Medlen dies
03-24-2007, 12:54 PM
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Eric Medlen dies This is off NHRA.com
Eric Medlen succumbs to injuries suffered in recent testing accident
Eric Medlen, 33, who had emerged as one of the most popular young drivers in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, succumbed Friday afternoon to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a Monday test session at Gainesville Raceway. The talented Funny Car driver never regained consciousness. After being treated at the track, he was transported by ShandsCair helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida medical center where medical staff treated him for four days for a severe closed head injury.
"Eric Medlen was the son I never had," said team owner John Force. "He was the leader of my next generation of drivers. Robert Hight, my daughter Ashley, and I were with the family throughout this very difficult time. This loss is a huge blow not only to the Medlen family, but to drag racing and to John Force Racing."
Eric Medlen succumbs to injuries suffered in recent testing accident
Eric Medlen, 33, who had emerged as one of the most popular young drivers in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, succumbed Friday afternoon to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a Monday test session at Gainesville Raceway. The talented Funny Car driver never regained consciousness. After being treated at the track, he was transported by ShandsCair helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida medical center where medical staff treated him for four days for a severe closed head injury.
"Eric Medlen was the son I never had," said team owner John Force. "He was the leader of my next generation of drivers. Robert Hight, my daughter Ashley, and I were with the family throughout this very difficult time. This loss is a huge blow not only to the Medlen family, but to drag racing and to John Force Racing."
03-24-2007, 01:10 PM
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I read this on NHRA.com this morning and was shocked. I never even heard that he had crashed. It was during practice run earlier in the week at Gainsville.
03-24-2007, 01:17 PM
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I had been following this story all week... 
So sad, he was a real up and coming racer, and was a very nice guy from what I could tell at the NHRA Nationals here the last couple of years... always was willing to talk to the fans, shake hands, take pictures, etc.
So sad, he was a real up and coming racer, and was a very nice guy from what I could tell at the NHRA Nationals here the last couple of years... always was willing to talk to the fans, shake hands, take pictures, etc.
03-24-2007, 01:52 PM
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Been tracking this all week as well and sad for his family to go through such an ordeal.
It goes to show this isn't just all fun and show - there is a true element of danger to racing of all kinds.
It goes to show this isn't just all fun and show - there is a true element of danger to racing of all kinds.
03-25-2007, 09:32 AM
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SO sad! I wonder when tracks will start putting in concrete on the 2nd half of the track? That seems to be where most cars get into trouble. The bump + the change in traction at the transition point (to asphalt) even cause cars that run 10s problems.
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03-25-2007, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by WAHUSKER
SO sad! I wonder when tracks will start putting in concrete on the 2nd half of the track? That seems to be where most cars get into trouble. The bump + the change in traction at the transition point (to asphalt) even cause cars that run 10s problems.