Pitroad Accident

[MountaineerTom]

From Jayski's

 

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Three members of the #28 pit crew and one NASCAR official were injured during a pit-road accident on Lap 111 of Sunday's Pennzoil Freedom 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. During a round of pit stops under caution, #22-Ward Burton pulled out from his pit stall and into the left side of #19-Casey Atwood. Burton then cut to his left and into Rudd's pit stall, where his crew was still performing a four-tire and gas pit stop. Bobby Burrell, Rudd's front-tire changer, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for treatment of head injuries. John Bryan, jackman for Rudd's team, was taken by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Miami for treatment of knee injuries. Bryan is the brother-in-law of Todd Parrott, crew chief for Dale Jarrett, Rudd's teammate. Kevin Hall, the team's front-tire changer, was treated for bruises at the infield care center and released. NASCAR official Kenny Lawson, who was overseeing Rudd's pit stop, was seen and released from the infield car center. He was knocked onto the hood of Rudd's car. See full story and updates at That's Racin' and NASCAR.com(11-11-2001)

 

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You could tell from the interview with Ward Burton was shaken up about the accident.

[Jpshostr]

I watched that happen, sure didn't look good.  Ward really seemed affected by it, as I'm sure anyone would be if that had happened to them.

[Jpshostr]

What is even more creepy about this that I just found out about was that 11 years ago Rudd was involved in a fatal pitroad accident when he hit one of Bill Elliot's crewmen.  No wonder he didn't want to talk on camera.

[Elwood]

Wow, I didn't know that.  Hope everyone is ok.

[Guest Friz]

Quote from Jpshostr, posted on Nov. 11 2001,3:33

What is even more creepy about this that I just found out about was that 11 years ago Rudd was involved in a fatal pitroad accident when he hit one of Bill Elliot's crewmen.  No wonder he didn't want to talk on camera.

 

Yeah, I remember that one. It was at Riverside, Rudd came onto pit road a little hot and locked up the brakes, spun 180 degrees and hit side-to side with Bill Elliots car as they were changing right side tires. His crewman was killed instantly.

That single incident was what started speed limits on pit road.

[MountaineerTom]

I think it was at Atlanta.

[General Lee 01]

It must have been Atlanta....... 11 years ago from this year would be 1990. And I thought the last race @ Riverside was either '87-'89.

 

I could be wrong, I'm just going by the scant "historic" stats I know.

 

If I remember correctly, the one video clip I veighgley (SP?) remember seeing of the fatal Pit Road accident was at a circle track.  

[Jpshostr]

Yeah, it was at Atlanta, I went back and read the article where I found out about this at nascar.com.