The NHRA has confirmed that Eric Medlen, 33, who had emerged as one of the most popular young drivers in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, succumbed Friday afternoon to injuries suffered when his race car crashed into a guardwall during a Monday test session at Gainesville Raceway. The talented Funny Car driver never regained consciousness. After being treated at the track, he was transported by ShandsCair helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida medical center where medical staff treated him for four days for a severe closed head injury.

Little more than three years ago, Medlen took over driving responsibilities for John Force Racing in the Funny Car in which Tony Pedregon won the 2003 championship. He had distinguished himself as one of the brightest young stars on the circuit, winning six times in his first three seasons and never finishing outside the top five in driver points. He was the sport’s top Funny Car rookie in 2004, winning in Brainerd, Minn.  He won three races in 2005 and two in 2006.

“Eric Medlen was the son I never had,” said team owner John Force. ”He was the leader of my next generation of drivers. Robert Hight, my daughter Ashley, and I were with the family throughout this very difficult time. This loss is a huge blow not only to the Medlen family, but to drag racing and to John Force Racing. I just want to thank everybody for their support, from Larry Smiley with Racers For Christ to the hospital staff to the whole drag racing community. Our prayers go out to the family.”

This entry was posted on Monday, March 26th, 2007 at 7:03 pm and is filed under Drivers, NHRA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.