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Partial list of 2013 driver injuries
Ryan King's car at Tennessee National Raceway. (photobyconnie.com)
A partial list of Dirt Late Model drivers injured seriously enough at the racetrack to be checked out at the hospital or miss races during the 2013 season (listed alphabetically):
Brian Birkhofer: On July 20 at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Neb., the 41-year-old Muscatine, Iowa, driver broke a bone in his hand in a frontstretch tangle. He ran a partial August schedule while wearing a cast.
Ron Davies: On Aug. 16 at Lernerville Speedway in Sarver, Pa., the car of the 55-year-old Warren, Pa., driver launched over the banking and slammed upside down into the outer wall in turns three and four after his throttle hung. He suffered a concussion along with a shoulder injury, bruised hip, and a cut when he bit down on his tongue.
John Duty: On Sept. 14 at Willamette Speedway in Lebanon, Ore., the 47-year-old Happy Valley, Ore., driver flipped end-over-end. Shaken up, he made a brief hospital visit but was released with no serious injuries.
Steve Francis: On Sept. 21 at Brownstown (Ind.) Speedway’s Lucas Oil-sanctioned Jackson 100, the 46-year-old Ashland, Ky., driver suffered a severe lower lumbar sprain after his car bicycled and jolted him when slamming back to the track. He returned to the track after being check out at hospital and finished fifth in feature.
Jacob Hawkins: On June 8 at Eldora Speedway’s Dream XIX, a mud clump cracked his faceshield and broke his nose among other facial injuries; the 23-year-old Fairmont, W.Va., driver required surgery and missed a few weeks.
Scott Haus: In an April 7 flipping accident at Port Royal (Pa.) Speedway, the Hamburg, Pa., driver suffered a severe concussion and broken rib, spending one night hospitalized.
Dave Hess Jr.: On May 25 at Stateline Speedway in Busti, N.Y., the 28-year-old Waterford, Pa., driver flipped in turn one. A hospital visit found a cracked tooth along with bruised forehead and knees, but no broken bones.
Austin Hubbard: On Aug. 17 at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Hubbard’s car slammed an infield tire barrier, knocking him briefly unconscious. The 21-year-old Seaford, Del., driver was diagnosed with a concussion and whiplash, keeping him out of the car a few weeks.
Ryan King: On May 25 at Tennessee National Raceway in Hohenwald, Ryan King of Seymour, Tenn., slammed the frontstretch concrete and barrel-rolled. He was checked out at a hospital for a mild concussion, sprained ankle and bruising.
Jason Johnson: On Sept. 14 at Cottage Grove (Ore.) Speedway, a rollover accident left the Portland, Ore., driver with a crushed vertebrae and three cracked ribs, likely ending his season.
Tim Lillo: On Aug. 29, at Proctor (Minn.) Speedway, the Duluth, Minn, driver’s car flipped violently. He was released from the hospital with pulled muscles.
Don O’Neal: On Aug. 22 at Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tenn., the 49-year-old Martinsville, Ind., driver's rollover accident on the Lucas Oil Series left him with neck and back injuries that sidelined him for more than two weeks.
Chad Stapleton: On July 7 at Quincy (Ill.) Raceway, a rollover accident sent the 37-year-old Edinburgh, Ind., driver to the hospital for a checkup. He was sore but not seriously injured.
