For those who wish to send wishes to Jack Roush, use the following address:
Jack Roush
c/o Roush Racing
7050 Aviation Blvd.
Concord, NC 28027
Hicks Honored: In its first award announcement of 2003, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission named 19 individuals from throughout the United States and Canada as recipients of the Carnegie Medal. The bronze medal is given to persons who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others. Two of the awardees died in the performance of their heroic acts. The announcement brings to 8,685 the number of persons honored since the Pittsburgh-based Fund's inception in 1904. One of the 19 award winners honored on Thursday night was Larry Hicks, the man who saved the life of Jack Roush. The Commission gave the following description: "Larry J. Hicks saved Jack E. Roush from drowning, Troy, Alabama, April 19, 2002. Unconscious and badly injured, Roush, 60, remained restrained in a seat of the open-cockpit, light airplane he had been flying, after it crashed into a small lake. The plane, inverted and nose down in the eight-foot-deep lake, leaked aviation fuel into the water. Hicks, 52, conservation enforcement officer, was at his home nearby and witnessed the accident. He immediately responded to the lake, then took a boat to where parts of the plane were protruding from the water. Although somewhat weakened by effects of cancer treatment, Hicks dived into the water to search for occupants of the plane, finding Roush on the second dive and freeing him on the third. Surfacing, Hicks resuscitated Roush, who remained unconscious. Rescue personnel responding by boat towed Roush to the bank, Hicks helping to support him. Roush required hospitalization for treatment of numerous injuries, and he recovered. Hicks sustained first-degree chemical burns about his upper body, which required hospital treatment and from which he recovered, and related injury."(MotorsportsTV)(2-28-2003)
Hicks Honored: Larry Hicks, the ex-Marine who rescued Winston Cup car owner Jack Roush from near certain death in a lake outside Troy, AL last April, has been named the 2002 recipient of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA)/Pocono Spirit Award. The award each year recognizes character and achievement in the face of adversity as well as sportsmanship and contributions to motorsports. Hicks was one of four quarterly winners singled out by the NMPA in 2002 for recognition. Other quarterly winners include Dave Marcis, Steve Park and Ken Schrader.(Danville Register and Bee)(2-5-2003)
(NOTE: the news goes top to bottom, first report to the newest, then followed by some column/story links)
Roush Plane Crashes UPDATEs: Jack Roush's private P-51 Mustang airplane crashed near a lake outside of Mongomery, AL, Friday night. Roush, the pilot, was being airlifted to University Hospital in Birmingham. His condition was unknown. More to come.(ThatsRacin.com) AND NBC6.com in Charlotte is reporting Roush is in a medically induced coma with two broken legs. AND A small experimental aircraft has crashed in Troy, AL. Reports indicate the accident occurred near a gated community sub-division in Troy between 6:00-7:00pm. Jack Roush, a prominent NASCAR team owner, was reportedly the person piloting the craft and transported to Birmingham for further care. Reports indicate that another person was involved who may have been trying to aid Roush and that person is believed to be Larry Hicks a Pike County conservation officer, a graduate of Lee High School, and a retired Marine Corps Sergeant Major. Apparently Hicks saw the aircraft crash and went in to the lake to pull Roush out. Hicks only suffered minor burns and is doing fine at home.(12WSFA.com)(4-19-2002)
UPDATE: Winston Cup team owner Jack Roush was critically injured when his small plane crashed Friday, NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said. Roush, whose 60th birthday was Friday, was in critical condition at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Hunter said. Roush owns the Winston Cup teams of #6-Mark Martin, #99-Jeff Burton, #17-Matt Kenseth and #97-Kurt Busch. Those teams are in Alabama for this weekend’s races at Talladega Superspeedway. The extent and nature of Roush's injuries were not immediately known. According to WBMA-TV in Birmingham, the plane was apparently underwater for five minutes after the crash. The report said Roush was the pilot and the only person on board. He was pulled from the wreckage by someone who lived near the crash site. WBMA reported that hospital workers say Roush was badly injured, but is neurologically stable. His vital signs had to be stabilized before he could be transported to Birmingham. Roush has been a Winston Cup car owner since 1988, running Fords for Mark Martin that season. Martin has given Roush a pair of second-place finishes in the series points in 1990 and 1994. During his tenure in NASCAR's top stock car series, Roush's team has won 53 races, including three of eight this season.(ESPN/AP wires)(4-20-2002)
AND Jack Roush, owner of four Winston Cup race teams, was in critical condition in a Birmingham, Ala., hospital Friday night after being injured in an aircraft crash. WVTM-TV in Birmingham, citing a "high-ranking NASCAR source," reported that Roush, whose 60th birthday was Friday, crashed around 6 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Eastern) in an "experimental aircraft" at a lake in Pike County near the city of Troy, AL. He was airlifted to University Hospital in Birmingham, arriving about 10:20 p.m. WCNC-TV in Charlotte reported that a NASCAR source told it Roush was in a medically induced coma and had suffered two broken legs. A NASCAR spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer, however, that the only official word from the hospital was that Roush was listed in critical condition. There were reports that two other people were also involved in the crash and had been taken to hospitals in Montgomery, AL. Those could not be confirmed late Friday. Roush is a pilot, but it was not clear what kind of plane was involved in the crash or whether Roush was flying it. Roush’s racing operations are based in a complex at the Concord Regional Airport near Lowe’s Motor Speedway. He is an aviation enthusiast who purchased Boeing 727 jets formerly used as commercial airliners and converted them for use in ferrying his teams’ personnel to NASCAR events. Roush also owns three P-51 Mustangs, World War II-vintage aircraft. One is completely restored and airworthy and Roush flies it frequently. The other two are being restored. See full story at: ThatsRacin.com(4-20-2002)
AND The crash was reported to have occurred about 6 p.m. when Roush's experimental light aircraft went out of control. He was reported to have been rescued from the plane by an onlooker, taken to Edge Memorial Hospital in Troy and transported to UAB Hospital in Birmingham. He was the only passenger aboard the aircraft.(Winston Salem Journal) and from NASCAR.com: Roush critically injured in plane crash, According to Hunter, Roush Racing drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch were all at the hospital during the evening, as were NASCAR vice president for administration George Pyne and several Talladega Superspeedway personnel.(4-20-2002)
Satuarday AM Update: NASCAR team owner Jack Roush remained in critical condition Saturday morning after a small aircraft he was flying crashed Friday afternoon. Roush, whose 60th birthday was Friday, crashed into a pond in northern Pike County near the Alabama city of Troy, which is about 150 miles south of Talladega Superspeedway, the site of this weekend’s NASCAR activity. Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage told the Troy Messenger newspaper that Roush was flying a one-person lightweight aircraft when it crashed into a pond near the Palos Verdes Estates subdivision off U.S. 231 about 6 p.m. local time Friday (7 p.m. Eastern). Sources at the track Saturday morning said the aircraft hit some power lines before crashing into the pond. Roush was apparently underwater for several minutes before local resident Larry Hicks, who witnessed the crash, came to Roush’s assistance. Roush’s injuries include broken bones in both legs and damage to his ribs. He was taken first to Edge Regional Medical Center in Troy, then flown to University Hospital in Birmingham, arriving there around 10:15 p.m. local time. Hicks reportedly suffered minor burns in his efforts to assist Roush and was treated and released at the Troy hospital. Roush Racing officials were expected to hold a news conference updating Roush’s condition later Saturday morning at the Talladega track.(ThatsRacin.com same link as above but updated) AND an AP story - Roush accident shadows Talladega race(4-20-2002)
UPDATE - Roush alert: Personnel associated with Roush Racing have said Saturday morning that Winston Cup Series team owner Jack Roush, who was critically injured in a plane crash on his birthday Friday night near Troy, Ala., is alert this morning and is responding to doctor's questions. Three of Roush’s Winston Cup drivers – Mark Martin, Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch – were present at the hospital late Friday and early Saturday morning, as the owner underwent tests and evaluation.(RacingOne)(4-20-2002)
AND Roush Racing owner Jack Roush is listed as critical but in stable condition, at the intensive care unit at University of Alabama, Birmingham Medical Center, after being injured in a plane crash late Friday afternoon near Troy, AL. Roush suffered closed head injuries but, according to his attending physician, he is "following commands." Other injuries include minor chest and internal injuries and fractures to his lower extremities. All Roush Racing teams scheduled to race this weekend at Talladega Superspeedway will do so as planned, including Greg Biffle, who will start today's BGN Race. Drivers Mark Martin, Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Kurt Busch will compete in Sunday's Winston Cup competition.(Talladega Superspeedway Site)(4-20-2002)
Alabama man says he's no hero [I disagree] Larry Hicks sounded very uncomfortable as he talked about saving the life of NASCAR race team owner Jack Roush. Told that he was being called a hero by members of Roush's Winston Cup teams Saturday, Hicks scoffed. "I don't agree with that," Hicks said in a telephone interview. "Not at all. I think that use of that word is a bit overused." Perhaps not in this case, however. Hicks, 52, was on the shore of the pond into which the aircraft Roush was piloting crashed late Friday afternoon. Hicks took his boat out to the plane, which was upside down in about 8 feet of water and dove. Luckily for Roush, Hicks is an ex-Marine who in 1983 underwent training in underwater rescue while stationed in Japan. Hicks dove a couple of times and finally managed to get the canopy off the plane, then got Roush out of the aircraft and to the surface. "He looked in pretty bad shape," Hicks said. "He wasn't breathing." Hicks, whose home is on the shores of the pond, got Roush to the bank and began resuscitating Roush. Roush responded. "He started breathing," Hicks said.(full story at the Kansas City Star)(4-21-2002) UPDATE: Interesting rescue: As more details of the accident became available, most of the credit for Roush's survival went to Larry Hicks, a resident of the neighborhood where the accident occurred and a former Marine Corps sergeant major. The 52-year-old Hicks, a two-time cancer survivor whose house adjoins the small private lake, saw the crash, jumped into his fishing boat and rowed to the plane, which local police said was submerged in eight feet of water. Hicks, now a state game warden and conservation officer, taught air and sea rescue for 12 years in the Marines but said he had never had a live rescue until Friday. He tied a line to the plane to keep it from sinking, went into the water and, on his third dive, found Roush in the plane, released him from his seat harness and pulled him to the surface.(Times Daily)(4-22-2002)
France's Statement: NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. also released a statement Saturday, expressing the sanctioning body's concern. "Our thoughts are with Jack Roush, his family and the Roush organization during this difficult time," France said. " Jack Roush is an innovator and a leader in the NASCAR industry. His tireless efforts have helped the sport achieve the success it enjoys today. All members of the NASCAR family are praying for his recovery."(Daily Home)(4-21-2002)
AND during the NFL draft coverage on ESPN, it was reported at 1:00pm/et thay Roush has been upgraded to serious and now on their site.(4-21-2002)
UPDATE 4/22/2002: And the man at the center of that miracle is Larry Hicks, an ex-Marine trained in rescuing pilots, who just happened to be on his porch, just yards away from the lake where Roush's plane crashed Friday night. "I told him last night 'Larry, you're a hero, man,'" Smith said, clearly optimistic at the good news from the Alabama-Birmingham hospital where Roush remains in intensive care. "Larry Hicks was a Marine Corps sergeant major who retired in 1990, who trained in search- and-air rescue, who had assignments in Japan, leading groups whose job it was to rescue pilots. But he told me he never actually had to rescue one, that Jack was the first one he rescued.
"And Larry is rehabilitating from chemotherapy..." In fact, his own doctors didn't think Hicks would survive until last Christmas. "But Larry got all this Av gas (aviation fuel) on him, and it wasn't like a fire burn, but it gave him a skin rash, and he was rashed up pretty good. If it weren't for Larry Hicks, the mood would be much different."
At 3 a.m. Saturday, nine hours after Roush crashed a borrowed lightweight plane into a lake just south of here during a birthday party, doctors were pessimistic. Things didn't look good. At 6 a.m., Roush began fighting back, and by 9 a.m. Saturday, doctors were increasingly optimistic when Roush began responding. Doctors then scheduled surgery on his left leg, the only one seriously injured, with a bad compound fracture. The surgery was set to start at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, but doctors were going to stop if Roush's vital signs weakened. The signs remained strong, and they completed the surgery by 8 p.m., implanting a steel rod in his upper left leg, along with metal plates, and repairing his damaged left ankle, also with steel pins and plates. The right leg was not seriously injured.[or broken as reported earlier]. Roush remains on a respirator to keep his lungs inflated. He does not have a punctured lung or any burns, as was earlier feared. But he does have a slight bruise to his spleen. When Roush first started to come around, he was agitated and unaware of why he was in the hospital, where he will be for at least another week. But his crews were so buoyed by yesterday's medical report that they were already planning for engineering sessions in Roush's hospital room, once the boss gets his strength back.[Roush also watched some of the Talladega BGN race on Saturday]. "Yesterday (Saturday), late in the afternoon, he had progressed sufficiently to encourage the doctors that he could take the anesthetic to do the surgical repairs to the bone damage on his left leg, the femur, shin and ankle. He took the anesthetic so well they were able to complete the laundry list of things they wanted to do. He rested successfully overnight, and had a good night. His (vital) signs are good. There have been many stories from the Roush family with him; he recognizes everybody that was talking to him, and he responded to questions. He acknowledged he understood by squeezing the left hand and squeezing the right hand. He had ways to gesture that he wanted more information from you on a topic. So we were all just feeling real good about that. But you must understand that he ingested a lot of murky lake water, so they'll have to watch pretty closely. And they're going to keep him on a respirator for a period of time, out of possible concerns. A lot of things are going on because of possible concerns, and we all need to let more time elapse. But I have to say, we're all extremely encouraged by the news of the day. Through gestures, Jack was asking for the story of what happened. We told him about the accident."(Winston Salem Journal)(4-22-2002)
UPDATE 4/22/2002 at 4:00pm/et: Three days after his involvement in an airplane crash outside of Troy, Ala., on 19 April, Jack Roush continues to be listed in "serious" condition after being upgraded yesterday from "critical." While Roush remains on a ventilator, doctors have removed one of the chest tubes from the area of his collapsed lung, which signifies progress in his chest area. Further scans of Roush's head and abdomen also looked good, and he is resting well, writing prolific notes to his visitors and continuing to respond well to commands. He is tentatively scheduled for minor surgery on his broken leg tomorrow morning in order for doctors to clean and redress surgical wounds left open for drainage. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-22-2002)
UPDATE 4/23/2002 at 8:30am/et: Four days after his involvement in an airplane crash outside of Troy, Ala., on 19 April, Jack Roush continues to be listed in "serious" condition after being upgraded Sunday from "critical." Doctors report that he slept well through the night and will go into surgery later this morning in order for doctors to clean and redress surgical wounds left open for drainage. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-23-2002)
UPDATE 4/23/2002 at 5:30pm/et: Jack Roush underwent surgery today at the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center to close wounds around his left knee and ankle. Doctors reported that the tissue looked good and there is no more surgery scheduled at this time. Doctors plan to put a splint on Roush's leg in the near future. Roush is still listed in serious condition after being injured in a plane crash Friday afternoon, but doctors say they will start the process of weaning him off of the ventilator tonight. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-23-2002)
UPDATE 4/24/2002 at 12:00noon/et: Doctors at the UAB Medical Center reported Wednesday morning that Jack Roush has been upgraded from serious to fair condition. Roush, who was injured in a plane crash last Friday afternoon near Troy, Ala., has been completely removed from the ventilator and is verbally communicating with those around him. Doctors also say he will be moved out of intensive care tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Jack wishes to express his appreciation and thanks to all of the NASCAR family and friends for all their thoughts, prayers and well wishes throughout the week. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-24-2002)
UPDATE 4/25/2002 at 9:00am/et: Doctors at the UAB Medical Center reported Thursday morning that Jack Roush continues to show signs of improvement. Roush, who was injured in a plane crash last Friday afternoon near Troy, Ala., has been completely removed from the ventilator and is verbally communicating with those around him. Today, Jack will be moved out of ICU and into a private room where he will continue his recovery. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-25-2002)
UPDATE 4/26/2002 at 12:00noon/et: Doctors at the UAB Medical Center reported Friday morning that Jack Roush has been updated to "satisfactory" condition. Roush, who was injured in a plane crash last Friday afternoon near Troy, Ala., is now in a private room and doctors expect him to be able to return to Michigan sometime next week. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted at least twice daily.(Roush Racing PR)(4-26-2002)
UPDATE Roush Teleconference 4/27/2002: Though Jack Roush has no recollection of the circumstances that resulted in his plane crash last week, he is well aware of -- not to mention humbled and baffled by -- those that spared his life. Just eight days after crashing an experimental aircraft near Troy, Ala., Roush met with the media via teleconference Saturday from his hospital room in Birmingham, Ala. Still on heavy medication, his words were broken at times, but for the most part he spoke in typical Roush fashion -- calculated and articulate. See full story at NASCAR.com: One week later: Roush discusses plane crash.(4-27-2002)
UPDATE 4/29/2002 at 12:00noon/et: Jack Roush continues to make huge improvements while at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, doctors report on Monday morning. Over the weekend, Jack spoke to the media via a teleconference, watched the Winston Cup race, and had an emotional reunion with Larry Hicks, the man who saved Jack's life after the plane he was flying crashed outside of Troy, AL two weeks ago. Doctors expect Jack to be able to return to Michigan some time this week. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted.(Roush Racing Site)(4-29-2002)
UPDATE 5/1/2002: Doctors at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center have upgraded Jack Roush from "satisfactory" to "good" condition. Rosuh will be returning home to Michigan sometime later this week. For more information on Roush Racing and Jack Roush, log on to www.roushracing.com. Updates will be regularly posted.(Roush Racing site)(5-1-2002)
UPDATE 5/2-3/2002: ..Roush Racing owner Jack Roush has been released from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center, the team says. The 60-year-old NASCAR team owner had been hospitalized there since being injured in an April 19 plane crash in Alabama.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(5-2-2002) UPDATE: NASCAR team owner Jack Roush made the latest step in his recovery from severe injuries suffered in an experimental aircraft accident April 19 when he was transferred to the University of Michigan Medical Center on Wednesday. A Roush Industries spokesperson on Friday said Roush, 60, was preparing to leave the hospital for his Michigan home “by the middle of next week” after undergoing as many as five days of physical therapy at his current facility. Roush was transferred by air ambulance -- a jet airplane -- on Wednesday from the University of Alabama-Birmingham Medical Center.(NASCAR.com)(5-3-2002)
Special Guest at Richmond UPDATE: At Richmond International Raceway, Larry Hicks is expected to make his first trip to a track since saving Winston Cup owner Jack Roush. Hicks rescued Roush from his airplane when it crashed April 19 in Troy, Ala. Hicks performed CPR on Roush while Hicks' wife called emergency personnel. Roush Racing President Geoff Smith lauded the 52-year-old retired Marine's efforts in a series of press conferences over the next few days. Hicks is planning to watch the race from a suite.(Richmond Times Dispatch)(5-1-2002) UPDATE: Larry Hicks says he now has a greater appreciation of the word "family". Hicks, the 52-year-old retired Marine who rescued Winston Cup team owner Jack Roush from an airplane accident April 19 near Troy, Ala., made his first visit to a race track Friday at Richmond International Raceway. He was the guest of the Team Rensi BGN #25 team sponsored by the Marine Corps. Hicks met Roush, who spent nearly two weeks in a hospital in Birmingham, Ala., for the first time last Sunday. "When I first saw Mr. Roush, it was extremely emotional, neither one of us could talk for a while. I fell in love with Mr. Roush, his wife, his son and his brother," Hicks said. "He's a very gracious man and he's treated us like gold. We went to lunch with his family, came back and spent some time with him in the afternoon. It was a very moving experience." Hicks said Roush's first words were "thank you" before the two embraced in a long hug. "It's kind of hard to put into words," Hicks said of the moment the two met face-to-face. Hicks had been near his home on the shore of a large pond in his subdivision when he saw Roush's Air Cam plane hit power lines and fall into the water. He got in his boat, went out and dove three times through aviation fuel into the murky water, attempting to extract Roush from the pilot seat. Roush was visiting friends in the area as part of his 60th birthday celebration. "I've never understood the excitement around this sport until now. There obviously is a tremendous following," Hicks said. "It's very apparent now why people are so excited about this. Mr. Roush is not what I expected. It's like my son said, 'They're NASCAR family.' We're just now starting to find out what that means."(ThatsRacin.com)(5-3-2002)
Roush Letter: a letter from Jack Roush:
Dear Friends, Fellow Competitors, Employees and Fans:
This letter is to express my heart-felt thanks for all of the cards, flowers and especially the prayers I have received since my accident on April 19. Your generous outpouring of support has made a huge impact on the success and speed of my recovery. I wish there were a way to thank each of you personally.
I have come to realize that I am not only blessed to have survived this accident, but I am equally blessed to have so many people who care so much about my family and me. You will never know how much that means to me.
I am anxious to get back to work, and look forward to seeing each and everyone of you again as soon as possible. Thank you again for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers through my perilous time. Sincerely, Jack Roush.(5-7-2002)
Roush Doing Better: NASCAR team owner Jack Roush -- who has already visited several of his racing facilities -- continues his impressive recovery from serious injuries suffered in an airplane crash on April 19. On Thursday, Roush, 60, spent some time in meetings at his stock car complex in Concord, N.C., that houses his four Winston Cup teams. Earlier in the week he visited the Craftsman Truck Series operation in Livonia. The only thing left is for Roush to return to a race track, and it's a safe bet that will occur sometime in the next 10 days at Lowe's Motor Speedway. A spokesperson said Larry Hicks, the former U.S. Marine who saved Roush's life by diving into a lake in Troy, Ala., to rescue him from his inverted light aircraft planned to be at the 600 as well. Hicks attended his first race at Richmond International Raceway May 3. Roush is concentrating at this time on strengthening his upper body and right leg while maintaining flexibility in his left leg, which suffered massive damage including a compound fracture of the femur. Roush was transferred from the University of Alabama/Birmingham Medical Center on May 1, to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor for rehabilitation work. From there he was released to his Michigan home on May 8.(NASCAR.com)(5-17-2002)
Roush at the track Friday UPDATE: Roush Racing will hold a press conference on Friday, May 31 at 12:30pm/et in the infield media center of Dover Downs International Speedway for Jack Roush and Larry Hicks. Dover will mark Roush's return to the racetrack after being injured in a plane crash in Troy, Ala. on April 19. Larry Hicks, who rescued Roush after the accident, will also be on hand to field questions from the media.(Roush Racing PR)(5-30-2002) UPDATE: Jack Roush came back to a Winston Cup track for the first time since his plane crash in Alabama on April 19 on Friday and was already giving NASCAR some suggestions about ways to change its rules. Roush, of course, is the car owner for Mark Martin’s #6 Ford that won the Coca-Cola 600 last week at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. Ben Leslie, the team’s crew chief, was fined $50,000 on Tuesday because Martin’s car was one-eighth of an inch below the 51-inch minimum height requirement in postrace inspection. Roush said he thinks NASCAR should take into consideration what would be a normal amount of changes in cars as they compete in a 500-mile or 600-mile race. To get that information, Roush said NASCAR should check the postrace height of all 43 cars in one or more races to see how much, on average, cars settle from their prerace heights due to the normal course of competition. Then, Roush said, NASCAR could build tolerances into its regulations. Currently, NASCAR inspects only the winner’s car and a sampling of the other cars in the field after a race.(ThatsRacin.com)(6-1-2002)
Hicks Gets Award: Larry Hicks, a retired Marine who saved Jack Roush from drowning after Roush's ultralight aircraft crashed in Alabama in April, has been named as the second-quarter winner of the National Motorsports Press Association's Pocono Spirit Award. "The first time I was able to talk to Jack after what happened, he told me that it was time for me to have my 15 minutes of fame," Hicks said this week. "He told me that as long as he was around, he was going to be talking about me." The remarkable rescue of Roush, one of Winston Cup racing's most successful team owners, was made more so by the series of coincidences that made it possible. Roush crashed into a small lake near Hicks' home in Troy, Ala., on April 19 while piloting a friend's small plane. Hicks, who saw the plane go down, had spent a career in the U.S. Marines as an underwater rescue specialist. He dived repeatedly before being able to free Roush, then rescuscitated him and administered aid until rescue crews arrived. Retired driver Dave Marcis was the first-quarter nominee.(The State)(7-26-2002)
Hicks wins tournament: Didja hear who won the recent (Sept. 8) annual "racers & friends" fishing tournament hosted by professional angler Woo Daves, held south of Richmond?. It was none other than Larry Hicks, the hero credited with saving Jack Roush's life earlier this year. "The fish weren't biting very good," reported Penske Racing's gear & transmission specialist Scott Robinson.. "We had 43 boats and most guys didn't even weigh fish in... I didn't get a single bite all day. "When Larry weighed in over 7 pounds of fish to beat Jimmy Makar, the guys were asking, 'wonder what he used for bait to catch all them fish?'.. I told them, 'I heard he just jumped in and pulled them out,'" quipped Robinson.(Tom Roberts PR)(9-18-2002)
ALSO the plane was not a P-51 as reported but an experimental light weight two engine plane
The wreckage of Jack Roush’s airplane is being kept near a hangar at the Troy Municipal Airport.
-- Todd Van Emst, Advertiser
