NASCAR Cup

Nadeau's condition remains critical

NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau remains in critical condition at the University of Virginia Medical College hospital, his vital signs are good. The Danbury, Connecticut native was injured during Friday's evenings practice crash following ...

Published: May 4, 2003, 12:33 PM

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NASCAR Winston Cup driver Jerry Nadeau remains in critical condition at the University of Virginia Medical College hospital, his vital signs are good. The Danbury, Connecticut native was injured during Friday's evenings practice crash following qualifying at Richmond International Raceway.

Jerry Nadeau.

Photo by Tony Johns.

The 32-year-old Nadeau, a recent father, has been racing since he was four years old. Starting in go-karts, he climbed the ladder to finally receive a full-time ride with MB2 Motorsports this year. Recently at the California Speedway, Nadeau commented on his past racing.

"I'm only 32, but, in racing I feel like I'm 42 because I started when I was four. That's all I've ever done. Body-wise, physical-wise - I feel like I'm 18. It's just that I've been doing this for so long I just feel like I should do better.

"At four and a half my dad got me started (in go-karts) and that was it. I never saw a prom, never went to parties. I was always into the racing part. I didn't do just one series. I kind of hopped around because I had to take any advantage I could get growing up. One minute I'm going overseas to race, the next minute I'm running a dirt car, the next minute I'm running an asphalt modified, the next minute I'm doing a 12-hour enduro race. I had to take anything I could get."

Prior to the Richmond weekend, Nadeau and seven other Winston Cup drivers met with soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC where they are recovering from their wounds; including POW Jessica Lynch.

"The soldiers we visited have demonstrated heroics far beyond most of our ability to imagine," Nadeau said. "It is their individual acts of bravery for the greater good that underline what the Army is all about - what 'An Army of One' is all about."

The U.S. Army Pontiac hit the wall between turns one and two, driver's side first. Nadeau was cut out from the car while the track and NASCAR medical team was giving immediate assistance to the driver, including oxygen and a neck brace.

Late Friday night, NASCAR vice president of communications, Jim Hunter stated that Nadeau was listed in critical condition with head, lung and rib injuries, and that officials were prevented from stating anything more at that time.

Nadeau's wife, Jada was in South Carolina attending her grandfather's funeral. NASCAR sent a plane to bring her to the hospital, she arrived shortly after 11pm last night.

Additional news will be released only with the consent of the family.

The No. 01 Pontiac has been impounded by NASCAR.

Team report on driver Jerry Nadeau
GM - MB2 Motorsports' Jay Frye interview

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