Clauson Airlifted After Violent Belleville Crash

BELLEVILLE, Kan. – Bryan Clauson was airlifted to Bryan Medical Center West in Lincoln, Neb., after being involved in a violent crash during the Belleville Midget Nationals on Saturday night at the Belleville High Banks.

Clauson had just taken the lead from Chad Boat during the USAC National Midget Series feature when he got pushed into the wall by a slower car. Clauson’s No. 63 midget flipped multiple times and was then struck by the car driven by Ryan Greth after he stopped flipping.

It took medical crews nearly half an hour to remove Clauson from his car and he was placed in a waiting ambulance. He was later transported by helicopter to Bryan Medical Center West.

Clauson, who is attempting to compete in 200 races this year, has won 27 features this season, including most recently winning a USAC National Midget Series feature in Beloit, Kan., on Wednesday evening. He walked away from another violent crash Friday night at Belleville before being involved in Saturday’s incident.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.

Ballou Suffers Broken Neck In Calistoga Crash

CALISTOGA, Calif. — Robert Ballou suffered a broken neck during a crash as part of Saturday’s non-winged sprint car feature during the Louie Vermeil Classic at Calistoga Speedway.

Ballou flipped during the feature, which was sanctioned by AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series. Ballou was taken to a local hospital following the crash, where he was diagnosed with a broken neck according to a statement on the Robert Ballou Motorsports Facebook page.

“As many know Robert took a nasty ride tonight at Calistoga. As of now we know he has broken his neck with surgery likely needed but at this time we are awaiting the next steps. Thoughts and prayers are appreciated as we wait. We will try to keep all updated as we can.”

Ballou is the defending USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series champion and has won four times in USAC National competition this season. He is currently second in the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series standings to Brady Bacon.

Driver Dies From Injuries After Eldora Crash

ROSSBURG, Ohio – Dirt late model racer Shane Unger died Saturday night at Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater, Ohio, where he was transported following a multi-car crash at Eldora Speedway.

Unger, of Rossburg, Ohio, was 35 years old.

During a late restart in the second heat race at the World 100, Unger was involved in a multi-car crash in turn three of the half-mile oval. Emergency crews quickly attended to Unger and placed him in an ambulance to transport him to the hospital.

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Late Model Goes For A Ride At Carolina Speedway

Late Model Driver Robbie Bailey had a wild ride this weekend Carolina Speedway in Gastonia, NC. The driver was free of traffic going into turn one when he appears to catch a rut wrong and suddenly winds up flipping.

Thankfully, Bailey is OK. But it looks like he’ll be spending a few late nights in the shop before that car will be ready to race again.

http://www.onedirt.com/news/late-model-goes-for-a-ride-at-carolina-speedway/

Injured Sprint Car driver Kevin Swindell released from hospital after eight-day stay

Injured Sprint Car driver Kevin Swindell got a little bit of good news from doctors Friday afternoon.

It was another step forward.

Swindell was released from Des Moines Mercy Hospital. The 26-year-old driver spent eight days in the facility and underwent two surgeries for injuries he sustained in an Aug. 13 crash at Knoxville Raceway.

The incident occurred on Night 2 of the Knoxville Nationals. The field got bottled up at the start of the heat race, which caused a chain reaction that sent Swindell into a series of flips on the frontstretch.

According to reports, Swindell suffered fractures in his back. He had surgery on Aug. 14 and another Monday to address the injuries.

"The doctors and staff at Des Moines Mercy have been generous to us, both in their care for Kevin and their patience and understanding to all of us throughout our time here. We will forever be grateful to them," the Swindell family said in a statement.

"We cannot begin to thank everyone in the racing community for the support that you've shown to Kevin. The thoughtfulness of all of you is seen and felt, and we feel stronger each day because of you.

"Kevin feels the power of your prayers, and they are working. Our motto is: God showed up and showed out."

The racing community has rallied around Kevin Swindell.

The World of Outlaws passed the helmet at Junction Motor Speedway, and Kolten Gouse's National Open Benefit is raffling off a Brian Brown helmet with proceeds going towards Swindell's recovery.

On Thursday, the Dale Jr. Foundation announced that all Dale Earnhardt Jr. items purchased in the eBay store this week will benefit Swindell.

"We're also grateful for the donations that have come in and the continued fundraisers that race fans, organizations and tracks have started to help Kevin," the Swindell family statement continued.

"We know there is a long road ahead for him, and the donations will help ease the burden of the medical expenses we'll have and allow Kevin to focus solely on his health."

Donations can also be sent to "The Kevin Swindell Recovery Fund" in care of Spire Sports and Entertainment, P.O. Box 638, Cornelius, N.C., 28031.

Sammy Swindell, Kevin's father, is scheduled to race the ASCS High Roller Classic at Missouri State Fair Speedway on Sunday.

http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/08/injured_sprint_car_driver_kevi_1.html

Driver Killed In Crash At Williams Grove Speedway

The Cumberland County Coroner's Office said Campbell, from Feasterville, died after striking the wall on the half-mile banked clay oval. Medical units were called to the scene and racing was cancelled for the rest of the evening.

The crash took place during the night's hot laps, in which drivers are given a chance to warm up their race cars before the night’s racing events. It was "Kids Night” at the speedway.

Campbell’s crash marks the latest of a series of sprint car crashes, including Thursday night when Kevin Swindell was airlifted to a hospital after a crash in the Knoxville Nationals. Swindell's car flipped, hit the outside wall and landed on its wheels at the World of Outlaws event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kevin Swindell injured in Knoxville Nationals crash

Swindell remains hospitalized after flipping in his heat race last night at Knoxville Raceway.

Kevin Swindell, 26, crashed and flipped into the wall at the start of Heat 1 for the Knoxville Nationals, late Thursday night. The sprint car driver was placed on a backboard, complaining of discomfort in his legs, and airlifted to Des Moines Mercy Hospital.

Wayne Johnson Grabs Air at I-80

The most unpredictable time in any dirt race is when drivers are attempting to avoid another car on the race track.

That’s what happens here when Sprint Car driver Wayne Johnson clips tires with another race car when a spun car ends up right in his racing line while racing at I-80 Speedway in Greenwood, Nebraska. The result is a little time in the spin cycle.

Sprint Car Driver Dies In Wreck At Wisconsin Dirt Track

Sprint race car driver died after crashing during practice at a Wisconsin dirt track on Saturday, the raceway said in a statement.

Scott Semmelmann, 47, died from his injuries after crashing during a practice session about 6:00 p.m., the Beaver Dam Raceway said on its website.

Organizers canceled the rest of the night's events, which were part of a Midwest racing tour called the Bumper to Bumper IRA Outlaw Sprint Car Series, out of respect for Semmelmann's friends and family, the statement said. Further information on the crash was not immediately available.

Last month, 20-year-old driver Kevin Ward Jr. was struck and killed by NASCAR champion Tony Stewart after stepping out of his his vehicle during a sprint car race in upstate New York.

Reuters

PA Driver Burned

Praying for Darren Pifer, who was burned in a PA sprint car race Saturday when his fuel line broke. Darren faces skin grafts on his legs and a long recovery.  Darren hopes to be back in the race car as soon as possible.  Be prepared because we just never know.