Irl Driver Still Paralyzed

Sat., Jan. 8, 2000

Indy Racing League driver Sam Schmidt was upgraded Friday from critical to serious condition following spinal surgery, but remained paralyzed 24 hours after breaking his neck during a testing session.

Dr. Henry Bock, the IRL’s director of medical services, said it’s too early to determine if the paralysis is temporary or permanent. The 35-year-old driver from Las Vegas underwent surgery to fuse two vertebrae Thursday night at Orlando (Fla.) Regional Medical Center.

Schmidt was injured when his Treadway Racing G Force-Aurora spun and hit the retaining wall at Walt Disney World Speedway, where the IRL starts its fifth season with the Indy 200 Jan. 29.

Actor Paul Newman bruised his ribs after his race car crashed into a tire barrier at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Newman, 74, was examined by a doctor in the infield and later went to Hallifax Medical Center for further evaluation following the accident Thursday.

He was treated for bruised ribs on the upper left side of his chest.

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Irl Driver Still Paralyzed

Jesse Tinsley

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