Story on Racing Safety Is Given Special Meaning

As a member of the medical staff of the Horton Safety Team, I want to compliment Shav Glick on his excellent report addressing Indy-car safety.

It is ironic, however, that during the same weekend that Glick’s article appeared, a driver in the Michigan 500 suffered the first life-threatening injury to occur during one of our races in several years.

Phil Krueger was involved in a relatively nonviolent-appearing accident with John Jones. One of Krueger’s front wheels broke off in the collision and became firmly wedged in his cockpit, causing him significant head and chest injuries, and making it difficult to remove him from the car.

This was a very unusual occurrence, something that probably could not have been predicted or prevented. Fortunately, my colleagues were on the scene almost immediately, and Krueger received appropriate emergency medical care, which ultimately may prove to have saved his life.

When all the safety systems designed into the car are not quite enough, it is reassuring to know that CART and Carl Horton have been willing to support a safety team that is well-equipped and ready to respond to an incident like Phil’s.

JAY PHELAN, M.D., Santa Barbara