What are Donnie's Injuries?

[JoeBob]

With all the talk about Donnie being replaced by Dare, nobody has really mentioned the injury that set this off. Donne got out of the car under his own power, and was then taken by helicopter to the hospital.

All reports that I've seen seem to indicate that he wouldn't be cleared to drive for Phoenix. This means he'd be missing at least 3 weeks as a result of the injury.

Missing at least 3 weeks on the track, and A.J.'s quote that, "we have his best interests at heart" leads me to beleive that his injury is worse than a simple concussion. (Although it could just be that at 40, his brain heals slower than his younger competitors)

Does anybody know what the real story is? Is Donnie okay? What is the timeline for him being cleared to drive?

[Indyknut]

Exactly. If he got out under his own power, were there track medical officials at the scene allowing him to walk around under his own power. Was he unconscience at any time? It's been stated here that he wasn't kept for any time at the hospital, if not why? Something isn't right here.

[Truth Detector]

He stayed overnight at the hospital, didn't he?

[ZenMan]

Originally posted by Truth Detector:
<STRONG>He stayed overnight at the hospital, didn't he?</STRONG>

Yep. Of course, we TSL subscribers know this...

[GlennH]

Originally posted by trac-champ:
<STRONG>Exactly. If he got out under his own power, were there track medical officials at the scene allowing him to walk around under his own power. Was he unconscience at any time? It's been stated here that he wasn't kept for any time at the hospital, if not why? Something isn't right here.</STRONG>

I suspect that adrenaline could help someone function well initially after something like this despite there being less than obvious injuries.

Any Doctors in the house to postulate?

At any rate, thoughts and prayers for Donnie and his family are probably in order for health and future ride.

[BSJracing]

Not to be mister doom and gloom and I'm sure Donnie is going to be fine, but they originally thought Mark Donohue was going to be ok after his F1 crash testing for Penske in 75...maybe it's best Donnie sits out.

[ March 08, 2002: Message edited by: BSJracing ]

[Guest]

There is much more to this.

Heck, Mark Blundel had a crash, went to a local hospital, and was released. It was latter found out to be much worse. These drivers need experts looking at them that understand the type of impacts and the injuries.

It could be that is is having post concussion issues. Memory loss, blurry vision, and loss of balance are just some of the things that can happen. Donnie is also not a kid so things don't heal as quickly. Everything could be OK in a week or so or it could be an entire year.

[RPParnell]

Donnie is fine. He is back at work at the business he owns. There are no after effects. He has to go back to the doctor here in Springfield the week after the next race. He said the doctor would examine him and then release him. I assume at that time they would send a copy of their findings to Dr. Bock at the IRL and after that Donnie would be good to go. The sad part is he doesn't have anywhere to go as of now. I would only hope some of the top teams that are talking about adding a second or third car would call him. Donnie mentioned in the paper this morning that he is not sure what his Indy plans might be. The most important thing, Donnie is fine...

[manson]

He's fine? Really?

Have you talked to Donnie or those close to him, RP? I do hope he is ok but the party line around here seems to be that he lost his ride for the season because he is not healthy headwise.

Its just hard to tell who we should believe, and hard not to imagine that there isn't some spin doctoring going on concerning a generally unpopular driver change.

I'm normally not such a conspiracy theorist but this one has me scratching my head.

[RPParnell]

Mr. Lenny and I had lunch today. Donnie was supposed to be there but was unable to because of a business appointment. I have known Donnie for thirty five years. Rev can vouch for me that I know what I'm talking about. Donnie is FINE..

[Jimmy Hendricks]

Originally posted by RPParnell:
<STRONG>Donnie is fine. He is back at work at the business he owns. There are no after effects. He has to go back to the doctor here in Springfield the week after the next race. He said the doctor would examine him and then release him. I assume at that time they would send a copy of their findings to Dr. Bock at the IRL and after that Donnie would be good to go. The sad part is he doesn't have anywhere to go as of now. I would only hope some of the top teams that are talking about adding a second or third car would call him. Donnie mentioned in the paper this morning that he is not sure what his Indy plans might be. The most important thing, Donnie is fine...</STRONG>

Good to see that Donnie isn't on "death's doorstep" as some on this forum had tried to portray him as. Hope he finds a ride with another team and shows AJ what a mistake he has made (again).

[manson]

I didn't mean to challenge you like that, RP. Just looking for reassurance that DB was not still suffering after effects from the crash. I apoligize if I offended.

[manson]

Thanks, RP... didn't mean to challenge you like that. I just wanted reassurance that Beechler was not suffering after effects from the crash. I hope I didn't offend you.

[JoeBob]

Thanks for the update RP! There were a lot of conflicting stories out there, and its great to get things straightened out!

Glad to hear that Donnie is okay.

[Racewriter]

I'm glad to hear he's OK, too.