BGN driver Christian Elder wrecked hard in the middle of Turns 3 and 4 during his qualifying run at Chicagoland Speedway. He was airlifted to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Ill., and was initially diagnosed with a concussion and possible fracture of his right collar bone. Elder was expected to have CT scans of his head and neck. Dan Pardus also wrecked in his qualifying run. His No. 32 Chevrolet caught fire after hitting the wall. Pardus had difficulty in getting out of his car, but eventually got out and was taken to the infield care center for treatment for smoke inhalation.(ThatsRacin.com)(7-12-2002)
UPDATE: Elder was released Saturday afternoon from the hospital and returned home to Charlotte, NC. Elder spent Friday night in St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields, Ill., with a concussion and broken right clavicle. Elder underwent a CT scan of his head and neck. Both proved negative. Mark Green, who was already sharing the car with Elder this season, will be behind the wheel in Saturday’s Tropicana Twister 300. Green was already slated to drive the car at St. Louis and Pikes Peak during the next two weeks.(NASCAR.com)(7-13-2002)
