Dale Earnhardt Jr. Suffers Moderate Burns

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Eagle1

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ALMS Series

SONOMA, CA - DALE EARNHARDT, JR. SUFFERS MODERATE BURNS IN SUNDAY MORNING ACCIDENT AT SONOMA

Race driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr., suffered moderate burns Sunday morning when the car he was driving was involved in an accident and caught fire while practicing for the American Le Mans Series Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.

Earnhardt suffered what track medical officials described as "moderate-sized burns of moderate intensity" in the facial area and lower extremities. For precautionary reasons, he was transported by air to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.

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 and then caught fire. Earnhardt quickly exited the car on his own and was then assisted by safety crews.

Earnhardt, who regularly competes in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, was scheduled to co-drive in today's American Le Mans Series sports car race with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
 
Me too Jmac. From personal experience of being burnt on 2 different occassions in vehicles I can tell you it is scary and even with minor burns he'll be suffering some pain for quite awhile. Burns are nasty thing to get to heal. My hands were burnt pretty bad the last time and it took a year before hitting them didn't cause them to break open again. I sure hope it isn't that serious with Dale, but it could cause him problems in months to come.
 
Boy, I just saw the replay of that accident, that looks really scary to me.
 
I saw that too. It looked like he was dazed and he came too when the flames started around :blink: him.
 
That was a scary video when you see the flames around him. From what I have heard, Jr. is okay and his spokesman said he would even be ready for Sunday at NH. Althought right now the important thing is that Jr. is okay.
 
I saw that on our local news! It didn't look like it was a terrible crash, but the car just burst into flames! They did say that he had 2nd degree burns on his face and lower extremeties, but that he would be ready to race in NH next weekend.
 
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Imagine if he was wearing the open face helmet he usually wears on the Cup side. :unsure:
 
Anyone else think it might not be the best idea for him to race this weekend. With the heat from being in a race suit for practices, qualifying and not to mention 3-4 hours straight during the race, those 2nd degree burns could easily turn into 3rd degree burns if not properly cared for.

How many times this year have you heard about drivers needing ice-packs to cool themselves down from seats getting hot (and his burns are on is thighs according to some reports, and would be susceptible to this heat).

He's high enough in the points that he would likely only lose a couple of positions. Better to be 100% for the stretch than to have nagging injury become a problem. Remember the concussion last time around...
 
I don't know how bad his burns are, nor exactly
where on his body they are the worst. I DO feel,
however, that he prolly should NOT try to drive
this weekend. But, that's only MY opinion.
You just shouldn't mess with 2nd degree burns, no
matter where on the body they are. The risk of
infection is very high!!! ;) :unsure: :blink: :huh:
 
Wow.. What a powerful image. I am glad he is alright... Don't think he will be moonlighting anymore.... Don't see a problem with him racing this weekend. Heck, Mark Martin raced an entire season by his crew having to assist him in and out of his car due to a bad back...
 
Earnhardt Jr. released from Sacramento hospital
By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
July 19, 2004
02:28 PM EDT (18:28 GMT)




Dale Earnhardt Jr. was released from University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif., one day after a Sunday accident ident at Infineon Raceway.

Earnhardt Jr. suffered minor second degree burns on approximately six percent of his body (primarily to his legs and chin) in a practice-session crash Sunday morning in Sonoma, Calif.

He was driving a Corvette C5-R in preparation for an American LeMans Series race. His injuries are not expected to prevent his full participation in the Nextel Cup Series race this weekend at Loudon, N.H. Earnhardt Jr. is currently second in the Nextel Cup point standings and has scored three Cup victories this season, including the Daytona 500.

According to an American Le Mans 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 on his own, and was then assisted by safety crews.

"We had an unfortunate incident in morning warmup today with our No. 8 Corvette," Doug Fehan, program manager for Corvette Racing, said. "The accident was caused by a combination of many factors, including a slick race track, cold tires and a full tank of fuel.

"The hit was so hard that it broke the filler neck off the fuel cell and caused a fire. We know Dale Jr. wishes he could be back here at the race with us and we're going to try to win this one for him."

Earnhardt, who regularly competes in NASCAR's Nextel Cup Series, was scheduled to co-drive in the Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.

"I'm bummed out and disappointed I couldn't run the race," Earnhardt said through a team spokesman.
 

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I posted this in the other thread because this entire situation intrigues me. At least its not a Fireball deal...

How do I say this? Does it strike anyone else odd the amount and nature of the information forthcoming? If he does have 2nd degree burns on his inner thighs and chin will he indeed be able to race? I would think just putting on the suit and being bathed in his own sweat for the race would not be good for the burns. Not to mention acutally having to move in the race car and the natural stress it can bring. I actually can invision someone else (Truex Jr.) qualifying the car and Lil'E being placed in the car to start the race with Truex subbing for him most of the race in order to keep his points. He would have to start at the back and drive a few laps but Truex should be able to give the #8 car a decent finish.

Also, will he have to pass the brain scan that NASCAR instituted in order to drive? And, with the way 2nd degree burns go they will be more painful than they are now before the season ends.
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Did someone order their bucket of chicken extra crispy? :D j/k

I'm glad he's going to be alright.

To me, seeing the replay of the crash and fire, it looked like he was knocked out for a few seconds before the fire started, but they won't be able to admit if he really was. That could keep him from racing this weekend in New Hampshire.
 
Ive gotta say it.....He's been KFC'd! :D just joking

Its sad to hear, but it also makes ya think of how good a driver he really is when he wrecks in practice like that? And he likes road racing?.....I think its time to give that day dream up, Jr!!!!
 
Originally posted by barelypure@Jul 20 2004, 08:48 AM
I posted this in the other thread because this entire situation intrigues me. At least its not a Fireball deal...

How do I say this? Does it strike anyone else odd the amount and nature of the information forthcoming? If he does have 2nd degree burns on his inner thighs and chin will he indeed be able to race? I would think just putting on the suit and being bathed in his own sweat for the race would not be good for the burns. Not to mention acutally having to move in the race car and the natural stress it can bring. I actually can invision someone else (Truex Jr.) qualifying the car and Lil'E being placed in the car to start the race with Truex subbing for him most of the race in order to keep his points. He would have to start at the back and drive a few laps but Truex should be able to give the #8 car a decent finish.

Also, will he have to pass the brain scan that NASCAR instituted in order to drive? And, with the way 2nd degree burns go they will be more painful than they are now before the season ends.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
You Know BP, I've been thinking the same thing. I personally have suffered those same burns, in the same place as Jr. Seems people aren't thinking, they're talking about burns like a sunburn. 2nd degree burns have blistered. That means his inner thighs are all raw and open. The pain from the burn, his uniform rubbing and sticking is going to be very painful.
 
you can have your opinions, but i doubt that a burn, while being a serious injury in its own right, will pose the same problems as racing with a broken back, broken neck, broken sternum, broken colarbone, or with eyes that need to be taped open. i'm sure that a mixture of guaze, padding, undergarments, and pain relievers will do the trick...if guys can race with the injuries i mentioned above, where simply turning the wheel is a major chore, then leg and facial burns shouldn't keep someone out of a race.
 
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