75-12 months-Previous NHRA Driver John Drive Alive and ‘Alert’ After Fiery, 300 MPH Crash

Nationwide Sizzling Rod Affiliation driver John Drive is at present “aware and speaking” following a fiery crash in Petersburg, Va. on Sunday, June 23, per a submit from the John Drive Racing X (previously Twitter) account.

The crash occurred in the course of the first spherical of NHRA Virginia Nationals Humorous Automobile eliminations at Virginia Motorsports Park. After the 75-year-old hit the end line in 4,100 seconds with a 302.62-mph victory over Terry Haddock, the engine of his Chevrolet Camaro exploded on the end line. His automobile went throughout the observe’s heart line and struck the left concrete guard wall earlier than it was propelled to the suitable guard wall. 

The NHRA medical group examined him on the observe after which he was transported through medical helicopter to a “close by medical heart for additional analysis within the ICU,” per the John Drive Racing Sunday submit on X.

On Monday night, June 24, the account shared in a follow-up assertion that he remained within the hospital’s ICU on Monday.

“Attending medical doctors purposely have been transferring slowly in assessing the extent of the accidents to the Corridor of Fame proprietor and driver due to the depth of the affect. Medical workers is not going to present a therapy and restoration timetable till a complete analysis is accomplished,” learn the assertion. 

Moreover, “[Force’s] situation shall be launched on the discretion of the medical workers.”

His spouse, Laurie, and their daughters, Brittany, Adria, Ashley, and Courtney, are on the hospital.

After the crash, Drive’s teammate Austin Prock, who received the Humorous Automobile division, stated whereas talking from the winners’ circle that the trophy “goes straight to the hospital to John Drive,” per the Related Press.

“It is simply robust to see anyone undergo that, particularly when it is anyone you actually care about, however I do know he’ll be again. We’re race automobile drivers and we have now to flip the change. I do know John needed us to be out right here, going rounds, and I am glad we did our job,” Prock, 28, stated. 

“We’re holding our pal John Drive in our ideas and prayers. He is one robust cookie,” stated former NASCAR star Tony Stewart, per the AP.

“My important thought is I hope John’s okay. You hate to see him undergo that. Ship prayers up for him. He’s a legend of the game, the GOAT. The automobile appeared fairly burned up,” Humorous Automobile champion Matt Hagan stated, per Autoweek.

“We love what we do, however we’re all eager about John at this level,” added Prime Gas No. 1 qualifier Shawn Langdon, per Autoweek.

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Earlier than the Sunday crash, Drive earned his 157th NHRA victory — and second this season —  on the NHRA New England Nationals in New Hampshire.