Michael Dokken crashed during practice for the NASCAR Truck series on Friday, and was taken to a hospital by helicopter. Dokken was awake and alert after hitting the wall in Turn 3, according to Michigan International Speedway officials. Dokken was cut out of the truck and transported by ambulance to the infield where a helicopter took him from the track. The extent of Dokken’s injuries was not immediately known, track spokesman Bill Janitz said. Dokken’s best finish this year was a 14th at Memphis last month. He raced just three times last season as a substitute driver, and his best career finish was a third at Evergreen in 1997.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(7-25-2003)
UPDATE: Michael Dokken was in stable condition Saturday with a broken bone at the base of his skull, one day after crashing during a practice session in the NASCAR Truck series. Dokken broke his right occipital condyle, where the neck meets the skull, Michigan International Speedway said in a statement. No other information on Dokken’s injury was released. The 32-year-old from Thomasville, N.C., was awake and alert, and with his wife, Susan, the MIS statement said. Rick Ware took Dokken’s place in Saturday’s race for the MLB Motorsports Dodge team.(ThatsRacin.com/AP)(7-26-2003)
UPDATE 2: NASCAR says Craftsman Truck Series driver Michael Dokken, who was injured during Friday’s practice for Saturdays race at Michigan International Speedway, has been discharged from the University of Michigan Medical Center. Dokken sustained a skull fracture when his truck struck the outside wall in turn three. NASCAR says Dokken faces a lengthy recovery.(Winston Cup Scene Daily Newsletter)(7-29-2003)
