Matthew Wilson

A longtime turn-one official at North Alabama Speedway is recovering from a broken right leg and hip fracture suffered when he was struck by a 602 Crate Late Model during a Saturday evening feature event at the Tuscumbia, Ala., oval.

Mark Mason, 57, of Moulton, Ala., who has worked at the racetrack for 25 years, was scheduled to begin physical therapy today at Huntsville (Ala.) Hospital with hopes of being released by Tuesday, according to the track Facebook page and promoter Lazarius Decatur.

Mason was struck when a competitor's car rode the frontstretch wall and spun backwards reaching turn one, clipping Mason, who was standing at the end of the wall, Decatur said. On-site medical personnel tended to his leg injury but Mason was alert and conscious. He was taken by a medical helicopter to the hospital for precautionary measures.

"It could've been a whole lot worse, for sure," Decatur said.

Mason, who also works at his hometown Moulton Speedway, underwent surgery on his right leg and required some stitches but no surgery on his hip fracture, according to the track.

"Please continue to keep Mark and his wife in your prayers," the track wrote on the Facebook page. "He would love to give you all that famous fist bump! We love you Mark! Man, you’re a tough one!"