Medlen involved in Gainesville testing accident

[Holeshot]

WOW THIS SUCKS!!!

Hope he will be O.K.
Eric Medlen was injured Monday when his Funny Car crashed during a testing accident at Gainesville Raceway. Medlen suffered undetermined injuries when his entry crashed heavily into the rightside guardwall. He was transported via ShandsCair helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida medical center.

The six-time NHRA tour winner, who participated in Sunday's 38th annual ACDelco NHRA Gatornationals, was being treated in the surgical intensive care unit at Shands. He was listed in critical condition while being further evaluated by medical personnel.

Medical staff will provide a condition update at midday on Tuesday according to John Force Racing sources who emphasized that, at the present time, Medlen is not permitted to have visitors, phone calls, cards or flowers.

“Eric's extended family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” said Kelly Antonelli, spokesperson for JFR. “At the same time, we would ask that you respect the family's privacy at this time and allow the medical staff to do its work.”

A former crewman on boss and teammate John Force's championship-winning Funny Cars, Medlen began his own driving career in 2004, winning a race his first year. He won three more times in 2005 and two times last season in a Funny Car prepared by his father, John Medlen.

[badass88gt]

Hope he comes out ok. Sounds pretty serious.

Post crash photos...

http://dragracingonline.com/agent132...0-ix_3-18.html

[Reverend Cooper]

that dont sound or look good at all man god speed to him and his family

[GRAMPS SS]

x2^^^^^^^^^^^^^^MAY GOD BE BY HIS SIDE AND WITH HIS FAMILY

[Brandon W.]

wow that is sad.it always sucks to hear about this kind of stuff.

[Flicktitty]

thats too bad, i wish the best for him and his family

[badass88gt]

Update:

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/19115.htm

[badass88gt]

3/21/07

Injured NHRA Funny Car driver Eric Medlen survived a delicate, three-hour craniotomy procedure to relieve pressure and hemorrhaging Tuesday evening but remained in critical condition Wednesday at Shands at the University of Florida medical center.

Over the next two weeks, the 33-year-old will remain in a drug-induced coma designed to promote healing.

“We consider ourselves fortunate that Eric is in one of the top hospitals in the world for this type of injury and is getting absolutely the best treatment possible,” said John Medlen, Eric's father and crew chief.

“We want to thank Eric's friends, fans, sponsors, and the entire NHRA drag racing community for their support in this very difficult time for our family,” he said. “We would ask that they continue to remember Eric in their prayers. He's a fighter, but he has a long battle ahead of him.”

The elder Medlen also asked, for Eric's sake and the sake of the family, that fans refrain from speculation, especially on the Internet, where erroneous information already has been a source of considerable anguish.

[70challenger452]

wow, after seeing this you know it was serious, hope he contiues to get better

[Want_Notch]

He passed away this afternoon.

[Reverend Cooper]

has anyone heard exactly what happened and what failed

[Swags63]

Posted on NHRA.com, Eric Medlen succumbs to injuries suffered in recent testing accident.

God speed to him and prayers to his family.