Qualifying was delayed for over an hour after Gary Laton smashed the turn two wall here at Michigan Speedway. It took rescue personnel about 15 minutes to extricate Laton due to concerns for Laton’s condition. Once Laton was removed from his car medical personnel worked for approximately a half hour before loading the injured driver on to a life-flight helicopter for transport to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Yipsilanti Mi. NASCAR officials took the helmet that Laton was wearing at the time of the accident and his car was removed from the property under NASCAR supervision. Reports from St. Joseph Mercy Hospital indicate that Laton is in critical but stable condition and is being treated for head injury.( GoRacing ), Laton is listed in critical condition, but his vital signs are stable. He has undergone a CT scan and X-rays, and doctors have determined he has a head injury and are monitoring the situation very closely.(NASCAR Online) (08-14-1998)
UPDATE: Driver Gary Laton remains in the Intensive Care Unit at Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital following a serious crash at Michigan Speedway yesterday. His condition, as of 4:30 pm Friday, has been upgraded from serious to fair. According to his wife, Kristy Laton, he is responding to voice commands and is opening his eyes. He is also able to move his arms and legs.(GoRacing) (08-14-1998)- Laton has been upgraded from critical to serious condition at St. Joseph Medical Center in Ypsilanti, Mich. Laton’s wife, Kristi, released a statement to the media Friday at 11:45am/et “Gary has been upgraded from critical to serious condition,” she said. “He responds to voice commands and opens his eyes. He can move his arms and legs well.”(NASCAR Online) (08-14-1998)
