NHRA Notebook: September*2008
Vettel checked out and released: Pro Mod racer Ray Vettel of Phillips, Neb., was examined and released by doctors at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas after his Friday night qualifying accident in Dallas. Vettel's 1970 Plymouth Barracuda hybrid went out of control approximately 800 feet down the quarter-mile, crossed the centerline, and impacted the right-side retaining wall. He was transported by medical helicopter to BUMC.
"I'm fine," Vettel said. "I just feel a little beat up. It happened very fast and I saw the wall coming at me so I turned her all the way around so I didn't go head-on into the wall. The car pieces are ruined but I actually think the chassis is okay. It hit hard, but not real hard. All the safety equipment did its job."
According to Vettel, a CAT scan performed on his brain showed slight swelling. He was given oxygen for three hours and then released at 3 a.m.