RIP Eric Medlen Update 3/23/07
 

Again I apologize if this is a repost.

3/22/2007



Eric Medlen


Peers' reaction to Medlen crash

While medical personnel at Shands at the University of Florida medical center continue to monitor the progress of injured Funny Car driver Eric Medlen, team sponsor BP/Castrol announced Thursday the creation of a special e-mail address at which well-wishers can leave messages of encouragement for the 33-year-old drag racer.

Medlen, injured last Monday in a testing accident at Gainesville Raceway, still was in critical condition Thursday after enduring a delicate craniotomy procedure on Tuesday. For at least two more weeks, he will remain in a drug-induced coma designed to promote healing.

Castrol Syntec, Medlen's primary sponsor in his first three seasons on the NHRA POWERade tour, has announced that it will print and assemble all messages left at the e-mail address getwelleric@castrol.com and present them later to the driver and his family.

Castrol also will make available at NHRA national events and at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show (Louisville, Ky.) posters bearing a likeness of the popular driver on which fans can print personal messages. Those posters also will be presented to the Medlen family according to Lori Anne Gola, assistant sponsorship manager for Castrol.

“There are so many people who care about Eric,” Gola said, “and we wanted to find a tangible way to show him all of that love and support. We thought that, through this e-mail address, we could capture the prayers, kind thoughts, and well-wishes of all those who empathize with Eric and his family.”

I hope he pulls through OK..

http://www.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."

:cry: wow... i was really pulling for him.. my heart goes out to his family and the force team.

it is sad to see something like this happen. it is easy to pass it off as "the risk they take" but no one ever expects to be the one it happens to. especially when it is one of the most talented guys around, surrounded by the best crew anywhere, using the best parts money can buy.
i feel for the family, force racing, and fans everywhere. drag racing lost one hell of a driver today.

Sad..:cry:

Such a shame. My prayers are with his family and friends. Much too young to go.

wow i feel terribly!!!
so sad

Def a shame. :cry:

It sucks, Way to young to go.

+1 *Sad*