Bristol Motor Speedway
Notebook: Recovering Chadwick returns home
From staff, series and track reports
Kellen Chadwick, the up-and-coming Late Model driver seriously injured in a Feb. 22 modified accident, returned to his Oakley, Calif., home March 13 as he continues undergoing extensive rehabilitation for back and neck injuries that have left him unable to walk unassisted. | Chadwick injured at Central Arizona
The 22-year-old Chadwick, outfitted with a halo to stabilize his head and neck, is using a walker as he builds strength in regaining the ability to walk, according to his website. Before going home, Chadwick was initially treated at a Phoenix, Ariz., hospital and briefly stayed at a Sacramento, Calif., hospital in the days before heading home.
Chadwick was injured at Central Arizona Raceway when his car overturned and was struck in a fiery accident at the Casa Grande, Ariz., oval. He was airlifted to Phoenix and initially diagnosed with broken vertebrae in his neck, broken vertebrae in his back, damage to an artery in his neck and burns to his back and right arm. Kept in a medically-induced coma because of the painful injuries, Chadwick was taken off a ventilator March 1, the same day a feeding tube was removed. Doctors considered surgery to repair the damage to his neck and upper back, but decided to see how the injuries would heal.
To send Chadwick messages or make donations to the family, visit the driver’s website at www.kellenchadwick.com. — From staff reports
SWDRA UNVEILS NEW WEBSITE: The Southwest Dirt Racing Association has launched a revamped website that includes news reports, driver bios, sponsor details, series history and a message board. “The SWDRA is really beginning to gain some traction in creating an attractive opportunity for marketing partners and race teams alike to build this series to national prominence,” said Kyle Porter, marketing consultant for the series. — M.J. Anderson
WDRA SCHEDULE RELEASED: The Western Dirt Racing Association schedule takes the Colorado-based series to four tracks in three states. The series opens May 3 at Thunder Mountain Speedway in Olathe, Colo., and wraps up with a two-day event at Aztec (N.M.) Speedway. The series is making its first-ever trip on July 11 to Hayden (Colo.) Speedway, a 33-year-old track that runs a Limited Late Model division. Thunder Mountain also hosts the series on July 26 and Aug. 16, and Sweetwater Speedway in Rock Springs, Wyo., hosts June 6-7 and July 12 events. — From staff reports
DUNHAM GRABS VICTORY AT PERRIS: Jeff Dunham of Murietta, Calif., won a rain-shortened 22-lap feature March 15 at Perris (Calif.) Auto Speedway as he fought off challenges from Zack Forster. Nick Bartels started 12th and raced his way into the top five before climbing the turn-one wall and bringing out what turned out to be the race’s final caution. The track went into hurry-up mode to try to get the night’s action in as the Late Model feature rolled onto the track just past 7 p.m. — Scott Daloisio
