Dale Earnhardt Jr. burned after crash

[Elwood]

Dale Earnhardt Jr. burned after crash

 

 

July 18, 2004

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 The team has withdrawn the car from the race.

[LikeaRock14]

Yeah, we were watching it on Speed Channel. My brother's at the race right now, I'll have to ask him if he was there in time to see it. I don't like Dale Jr that much, but I never like hearing about things like that.

[Hecktorx]

That was pretty nasty looking, especially the in car shot.

 

I bet next week in N.H., he'll be wearing his gloves.

[antig24]

It was pretty scary looking, espically when he was sitting in the car not moving.

[Chris97K1500]

I just heard that he left the hospital today and is going home before traveling to Loudon, NH for the race this weekend. Glad to hear he's okay, it didn't look good when he was just sitting there for a minute! It's also he was wearing a full face protected helmet. He switched after his father died. He could have seriously been burnt on his face otherwise! Chris