Sammy Potashnick, who was scheduled to drive Jay Robinson’s #49 Chevy in the BGN race at Pikes Peak International Raceway, suffered a minor injury early Friday morning putting a halt to his race weekend. After helping drive Jay Robinson’s race transporter from Charlotte, NC, Potashnick was nearing the end of the drive early this morning. Another team member was driving as Potashnick resituated himself in the back. He ultimately stumbled in the moving vehicle hitting his head on his way down. As a result, Potashnick suffered similar symptoms to those he experienced after his recent head injury. Potashnick was involved in an accident at the end of May at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, CA, which left him with a concussion and contusion to the brain. After arriving at the emergency room, Potashnick was examined by the emergency room Neurosurgeon who determined that he would remain at the hospital under direct observation as the contusion posed a threat of possible seizure. Potashnick was released from the Direct Observation Unit after several days when it was determined that the most dangerous period of time that existed with the contusion had passed. The Neurosurgeon determined that Potashnick would be re-evaluated in several weeks before he would be cleared to race. Potashnick was in fact cleared to race at the time of re-evaluation. He was told that he would be slightly more susceptible than normal to symptoms that would result from the head trauma. He was told that the symptoms would not immediately cease, and that it would be normal to experience them to a small degree; however, Potashnick was directed to consult and/or see a Neurosurgeon or Neurologist immediately if symptoms were to reoccur. Potashnick, his family, and Jay Robinson found it in his best interest to forfeit his driver status this weekend in order to seek immediate attention. Rick Markle is in the car this weekend at Pikes Peak and qualified the #49 in 36th place.(PR)(7-27-2002)
