Link to Nascar's Bio Page on Rick Carelli - Click Here
Link to Nascar's Bio Page on Rick Carelli - Click Here
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The Craftsman Truck Race May 8th at Memphis was slowed by 12 yellow flags for 59 laps. The day's most serious accident sent Rick Carelli to a Memphis hospital. No immediate word was available as to his condition.
Press Release Contact: Wally Reese
"He is conscious and talking," commented Dave Liniger, RE/MAX chairman and co-founder. "But we understand he sustained head injuries, a fractured skull, broken jaw and loss of blood. He's experiencing some hearing and eyesight difficulties, probably from the concussion. The hospital is optimistic he will have a full recovery, but it might be a lengthy process. We are hopeful that he can be air ambulanced back home to a Denver-area hospital later this week."
Carelli is one of the most popular drivers in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and was enjoying an outstanding early season -- currently ranked 6th in overall points -- with a recent 1st place win at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield. He also successfully substituted for Davy Lee (Liniger) earlier this year in the NASCAR Winston West series. He placed 4th in Tucson and 3rd at the Fontana, CA Speedway, while Linigerwas in Australia with the Team RE/MAX global balloon mission. All of Carelli's truck races are televised nationally as were both of his NASCAR Winston West races.
"Rick has been driving for RE/MAX for the past three years, and has been an outstanding corporate spokesman," added Liniger. "In addition to television, magazines, newspapers and radio interviews, he has represented RE/MAX at Children's hospitals and other public relations appearances around the country. In addition, he has become a close personal friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with him, his wonderful wife Cathy and their three children."
Cards and
letters may be sent to:
Rick Carelli
P.O. Box
977
Wheatridge,
CO 80034-0977
Rick is still
at Memphis I.C.U. thru this weekend. Cathy set-up a Speaker Phone and his
crew spoke to him Today. RICK said he knows he hit hard and it was a tough
go for him at first. He remembers the crew telling him the tire was smoking
and he was told to bring it in. Hospital said he has had over 4,000 calls
and got on Cathy to try and slow it down.
May 13, 1999 - 9:00 a.m. P.S.T.
Rick is doing
better and sat up last night and ate some soup. Tenative plan is to move
Rick to Denver mid-week.
May 17, 1999 - 7:00 a.m. P.S.T.
Rick is still
at Memphis I.C.U. thru this weekend Tenative plan is to still try
to move Rick to Denver mid-week. To clear any Rumors Rick was wearing a
full face helmet. Under care from the I.C.U. at Memphis they had Rick up
and walking around. He told the crew that his sight had too much toe in.
Rick Returned
to Denver last Thursday just before the crew left for the I-70 Truck Race.
Rick needs lots of rest. Now that Rick and Cathy are back in Denver I hoping
to get some more current updates soon.
June 1, 1999 -6:00 A.M. P.S.T.
Rick is home and is resting and healing.
Rick came by the
shop today, has 20/20 vision but wears a patch , eyes still crossed, sat
in the Texas truck and plans to be back racing around Richmond
June 14, 1999 -6:00 P.M. P.S.T.
Rick comes by
the Race Shop about once a day. Still having a trouble with eye sight.
The team is sitting out the next two races.
August 99 -Carelli --- Ok'd by doctors
to fly, attended Portland WW race. Rick will go to ST. Louis truck
race then to Irwindale for WW race. Eyes doing alot better. Well on his
way to full recovery.
Please Sign Rick Carelli's Guest Book as a Get Well Soon Card --
