The unfortunate incident at Talladega involving Erik Jones left him with a broken back, a terrifying scenario considering the high speeds and impact forces involved in NASCAR racing. Jones’ immediate response for help, “I need help, my back,” underscored the severity of the situation.
Denny Hamlin suffered a broken back in a 2013 crash at Fontana. Hamlin on Erik Jones injury as well as how much he has worked with Corey Heim, who is also a 23XI reserve driver as well as a Legacy reserve driver (and is filling in for Jones today). pic.twitter.com/ww798cDzSd
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) April 28, 2024
Denny Hamlin, who has experienced a similar injury in the past, shared insights into the recovery process and the impact of hard hits on the back. He disclosed that it took him three to four weeks to return to regular life following his own experience with a broken back.
In a related development, Hamlin revealed that Corey Heim serves as the reserve driver for both 23XI Racing and Legacy MC, shedding light on the measures taken by teams to prepare for unforeseen circumstances such as driver injuries.
Denny Hamlin Suffered a Broken Back in a 2013 Crash at Fontana
In March 2013, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin experienced a harrowing crash during the Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway near Fontana, California. The incident occurred on the last lap of the 400-mile Sprint Cup race, leaving Hamlin with a serious injury.
Denny Hamlin was racing for the win against his former teammate Joey Logano when disaster struck. As the two drivers battled for position, they collided, sending Hamlin’s car nearly head-on into the inside wall. The impact was severe, and Hamlin suffered a compression fracture in his lower spine. The specific vertebra affected was the L1 vertebra, which is part of the lumbar section of the spine.
Following the crash, Hamlin was airlifted from the Fontana track to a hospital in Southern California. Medical professionals diagnosed him with an L1 compression fracture, a condition where the vertebra collapses due to trauma. Despite the severity of the injury, Hamlin managed to walk out of the hospital wearing a back brace. His recovery process would be closely monitored by Dr. Jerry Petty of Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates.
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