being reported on SI.com
ATLANTA (SI.com) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered moderate burns Sunday morning when the car he was driving was involved in an accident and caught fire while practicing for the American Le Mans Series' Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.
Earnhardt, who regularly competes in the Nextel Cup series, suffered what track medical officials described as "moderate-sized burns of moderate intensity" in the facial area and lower extremities. For precautionary reasons, he was transported by air to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Earnhardt was driving a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R in a 30-minute practice session when the accident occurred. The car spun and impacted a barrier in the Turn 8 section of the road racing track and then caught fire. Earnhardt quickly exited the car on his own and was then assisted by safety crews.
Earnhardt, who is second in Cup points, was scheduled to co-drive in Sunday's American Le Mans Series sports car race with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
The Cup series is idle this weekend, with the next race July 25 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Hope it isn't serious
ATLANTA (SI.com) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. suffered moderate burns Sunday morning when the car he was driving was involved in an accident and caught fire while practicing for the American Le Mans Series' Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma at Infineon Raceway.
Earnhardt, who regularly competes in the Nextel Cup series, suffered what track medical officials described as "moderate-sized burns of moderate intensity" in the facial area and lower extremities. For precautionary reasons, he was transported by air to the University of California-Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Earnhardt was driving a Chevrolet Corvette C5-R in a 30-minute practice session when the accident occurred. The car spun and impacted a barrier in the Turn 8 section of the road racing track and then caught fire. Earnhardt quickly exited the car on his own and was then assisted by safety crews.
Earnhardt, who is second in Cup points, was scheduled to co-drive in Sunday's American Le Mans Series sports car race with veteran road racing driver Boris Said. The team has withdrawn the car from the race.
The Cup series is idle this weekend, with the next race July 25 at New Hampshire International Speedway.
Hope it isn't serious