Medlen still critical, e-mail setup for well wishes

SPECIAL E-MAIL ADDRESS ACTIVATED FOR ERIC MEDLEN GET WELL WISHES

Gainesville, Fla.
Sent by John Force Racing

While medical personnel at Shands at the University of Florida medical center continue to monitor the progress of injured Funny Car driver Eric Medlen, team sponsor BP/Castrol announced Thursday the creation of a special e-mail address at which well wishers can leave messages of encouragement for the 33-year-old drag racer.

Medlen, injured last Monday in a testing accident at Gainesville Raceway, still was in critical condition Thursday after enduring a delicate craniotomy procedure on Tuesday. For at least two more weeks, he will remain in a drug-induced coma designed to promote healing.

Castrol SYNTEC, Medlen's primary sponsor in his first three seasons on the NHRA POWERade tour, has announced that it will print and assemble all messages left at the e-mail address getwelleric@castrol.com and present them later to the driver and his family.

Castrol also will make available at NHRA national events and at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show (Louisville, Ky.), posters bearing a likeness of the popular driver on which fans can print personal messages. Those posters also will be presented to the Medlen family according to Lori Anne Gola, assistant sponsorship manager for Castrol.

"There are so many people who care about Eric," Ms. Gola said, "and we wanted to find a tangible way to show him all of that love and support. We thought that, through this e-mail address, we could capture the prayers, kind thoughts and well wishes of all those who empathize with Eric and his family."

Motorsport.com note:
Please check our NHRA page daily for updates from John Force Racing and Castrol SYNTEC. Medlen's condition requires time to heal. The family and team have asked for privacy at this time and we respect that. It is hopeful that others will also.

The e-mail address to send your well wishes is:
getwelleric@castrol.com