IRL Driver survives crash

[Mel]

INDY RACING NEWS

 

Brack Undergoes Successful Back Surgery At Dallas Hospital

 

 

More About Kenny Brack

 

Kenny Brack Bio | Kenny Brack 2003 Stats

 

 

By Joe Crowley

indyracing.com

 

Tuesday Oct 14, 2003

 

IRL IndyCar TM Series driver Kenny Brack underwent successful surgery on his back Oct. 13 at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, said Dr. Henry Bock, director of medical services for the Indy Racing League.

 

Dr. Kevin Morrill, chief neurologist at Parkland, oversaw the procedure, which involved an open fixation on the spinal fracture and a spinal fusion of the L2, L3 and L4 vertebrae.

 

“Kenny’s spine is stable, and he’s moving his legs and toes,” Morrill said. “We will continue to watch him closely over the next couple of days. Kenny is a world-class athlete, and his physical conditioning will really aid him in this situation.”

 

Brack remains in serious, but stable condition, Bock said.

 

Brack suffered a fractured right femur, a fractured sternum and lumbar and fractures to both ankles in an accident on Lap 188 of the Chevy 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, the final race of the 2003 IndyCar Series season.

 

Persons wishing to send a get-well message to Brack can do so at www.rahal.com or by sending cards or letters to:

 

Team Rahal

4601 Lyman Dr.

Hilliard, Ohio 43026

 

Further updates on Brack’s condition will be provided when available.

[tqj3]

Several things come to mind. First, the crash happened on the back straight, where the grandstands aren't used for IRL and Craftsman Truck races, so no spectators were endangered. Second, the car did what it was supposed to do: came apart and left Kenny in the tub, spinning down the track. As long as it didn't hit anything else, he was in pretty good shape, although also spinning on his head, or, I hope, the roll hoop.

Third, fill the grandstands and put a 3,500-pound stock car up into that fence, even though at 50 miles per hour slower. (Don't think they get up in the air anymore? Check the video of Elliott Sadler a few weeks ago.)

Now, think about what every race track and every race car will be worth one week after someone puts a stock car into a full grandstand.

It's not a matter of IF it's going to happen, it's a matter of WHEN it's going to happen.

Solution: take the banking down, way down. If you think that's expensive, you're right. But it's a lot cheaper than having every piece of racing equipment become valuless junk in a week, and never being able to race in the U. S. again...