It’s another dark day in racing. Eric Medlen, NHRA driver was taken off of life support Friday after suffering a serious head injury last Monday at practice at Gainesville Raceway. Medlen crashed his Funny Car into a concrete guardwall, and was being treated at the University of Florida Medical Center while in a coma. The collective racing world turns their attention to the Medlen family, to give them strength in their time of need.
Personally, this kind of news never gets any easier. As a race fan, my heart breaks every time a driver suffers a serious injury from an accident. Racing has been a source of absolute entertainment for my family for years, but I have never taken for granted how incredibly dangerous a day at the track can become.
Unfortunately, this kind of thing is a black flag for our sport. I absolutely respect, and give thanks to all the men and women that work hard to bring the safety standards of racing to the cutting edge of technology. May this unfortunate accident with Eric teach us, and give us the tools for a safer race tomorrow. God Bless the Medlen Family.
You’re a Star, Eric Medlen. In the most beautiful sky the eye has ever seen.
Yes it was a sad day in drag racing circles. I feel saddened for his family but all know the risk in racing down the track at 300 plus MPH. Knowing of him from his early years, I don't think he would want to have done anything else but race full out.This was a great tribute to the John Force team driver.
Yes, it's a sad thing indeed. But I wouldn't necessarily say it's a black flag. It's not an unreasonable conslusion when one travels at 300 MPH in a vehicle. As you mention in your bio, they made the thing go faster, and I won't hold it against them for doing so. The rush is obviously indescribable, but so is the fate that may await them.
Eric was a hero in these parts...he will never be forgotten, this I assure you. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and will continue to be so. Thank you for writing this post...I could not do it..not this time.
Great article, of course yours are always good. My fantasy team is turning into a Kahne without Francis thing. We want to feature other racing leagues on the site, but have no one to research them. We are all volunteers right now. I love NHRA, but do not follow closely. If you can help e-mail me at info@seeing20twenty.com
(p.s. My daughter joined our league and she loves your name.)
photgr - I know that you are right about Eric, and I find comfort in the idea that he was with his team, and his extended family of drivers when it happened.
Ricko - I know that all the drivers have made the decision to put their life at risk every time they step into a driver seat. The sport of racing has way too many of these things happen. I think Daytona alone has taken 28 drivers from us. And that is 28 too many. It's tough any way you look at it.
Manrub - It is a great tribute, and my heart goes out to the John Force team. I think the NHRA will be giving a huge tribute all year to Eric. It still won't be enough, but nothing ever will.
kcjs - Thanks, and thank your daughter too. My money fantasy team is looking pretty weak right now as well. I would be happy to email you when I get a chance tomorrow.
Eric broke the sound barrier--he is with those that went before him. I bet he is having a blast now and much happier than we are. Thanks for a great post.
IT WAS A DAY OF GREAT SADNESS IN OUR HOUSE WHEN WE FOUND OUT SUCH A OUTSTANDING MAN SUCH AS ERIC MEDLEN WAS TAKEN FROM US. HE WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE TO YOUNG KIDS OF HOW HARD WORK CAN HELP YOU REACH YOUR DREAMS. GOD SPEED ERIC AND OUR SYMPATHY TO YOUR FAMILY AND TO ALL OF FORCE RACING AND ALL OF THE NHRA RACING COMMUNITY.
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU
this is for siddhartha and everyone that morns a loss its not mine buy it feels apropriate SOME PEOPLE COME INTO OUR LIVES AND QUIETLY GO,, OTHERS STAY FOR A WHILE,AND LEAVE FOOTPRINTS ON OUR HEARTS, AND WE ARE NEVER THE SAME !!
A REAL SAD DAY ANYTIME ONE OF OUR OWN PASSES! ERIC WAS A REAL CHAMPION...SURELY GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ERIC ,TO HAVE TAKEN HIM EARLY IN LIFE!!WE AT TINKER GLADDEN RACING WILL MISS HIM DEARLY...
Racetink - I hope the family knows that our hearts and prayers are still with them. Eric will never be forgotten, and will live on within the racing fans heart.
You can't stop, or I will pass you. If you slow down, I will outlast you. But when your down, you won't find me laughing. Just one question, I might ask ya. And it might sound like a disaster. But can you make this thing go faster?
It’s another dark day in racing. Eric Medlen, NHRA driver was taken off of life support Friday after suffering a serious head injury last Monday at practice at Gainesville Raceway. Medlen crashed his Funny Car into a concrete guardwall, and was being treated at the University of Florida Medical Center while in a coma. The collective racing world turns their attention to the Medlen family, to give them strength in their time of need.
