Driver Medlen is critical after test-session crash

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- NHRA driver Eric Medlen remained in critical condition Wednesday, days after a test-session crash at Gainesville Raceway.
Doctors at the University of Florida medical center performed a three-hour brain surgery Tuesday night to relieve pressure and hemorrhaging, and Medlen will be in a drug-induced coma for two weeks, his racing team said on its Web site.
University of Florida medical center spokeswoman Kim Jamerson declined comment and referred calls to the NHRA.
Medlen, a 33-year-old California native, drives for John Force Racing. He was injured Monday when his Funny Car crashed into a guard wall.
"We consider ourselves fortunate that Eric is in one of the top hospitals in the world for this type of injury and is getting absolutely the best treatment possible," John Medlen, Eric's father and crew chief, said in the statement.
John Medlen also thanked the driver's fans, sponsors and family members for their support.
Gainesville Raceway executive general manager Don Robertson said Medlen was driving in the left lane of the track when his car appeared to encounter a kind of problem. Robertson said the car then veered right and hit the right guard wall, but the specifics of the crash have not been determined.
"That's still up in the air and their team, of course, is going to have to evaluate all of their stuff and see if they can determine what exactly went wrong," Robertson said.
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