NASCAR says three pit road crew members were taken to a hospital after a fire broke out on pit road Friday night during the Xfinity Series race at Richmond International Raceway. Two of the crew members were working in Brendan Gaughan’s pit, where the fire erupted, and one was in Eric McClure’s pit. There was no additional information about the extent of their injuries, or what sparked the fire. Television replays showed a huge ball of flame that appeared to engulf at least one crew member in Gaughan’s pit. NASCAR identified the three injured as Gaughan’s rear tire changer, Anthony O’Brien, and fueler, Josh Wittman, and Clifford Turner, a crew member from McClure’s team. McClure’s team said later that Turner had been treated and released. There was no word on the condition of O’Brien or Wittman.(Associated Press)(4-24-2015)
UPDATE: McClure’s crew member was treated and released Friday night. As of Saturday evening, both RCR crew members remained in the hospital.(4-25-2015)
UPDATE 2: “Following last night’s pit road incident at Richmond International Raceway, Richard Childress Racing pit crew member (gas man) Josh Wittman of the #62 XFINITY Series team has been released from a Richmond, VA-based hospital after overnight observation. Thanks to quick action that was taken by the Richmond International Raceway fire crew and NASCAR medical staff. Rear tire changer Anthony O’Brien remains under the care of physicians at the local hospital for further evaluation and is in good condition. The Sparco safety equipment, including the crew members’ firesuits, did its job in protecting them. We thank the NASCAR community for their continued support.”(Richard Childress Racing)(4-25-2015)
UPDATE 3: #62 XFINITY Series rear tire changer Anthony O’Brien has been treated and released from a Richmond, VA hospital.(RCR)(4-27-2015)
