Rick Carelli, driver of the #6 RE/Max Chevrolet suffered serious injuries this weekend at the NASCAR Craftsman Truck event, the Memphis 200 at Memphis Motorsports Park. Carelli's truck was the victim of a cut-tire that sent him headfirst into the concrete retaining wall. Currently listed in stable condition in Elvis Presley Trauma Center at Memphis Regional Medical Center. Carelli suffered a concussion and multiple facial injuries.

West Coast crewmember, Al Gonella, received a letter from RE/MAX crewmember, Danny. Danny who works on the team as engine man during the week and gasman during the race wrote that said as of Sunday Carelli was doing better. Danny wrote that, "He (Carelli) was bleeding from behind his nose but I was told it was not as bad today -almost stopped. The bones that make up his sinus cavity have been broken." It also appears Carelli may have sustained an injury to his jaw.

In explaining how the accident occurred, Danny said, "I guess on that first restart the #90 truck (of Lance Norrick) did not get up to speed and Rick knocked in the fender. It was rubbing pretty badly, Rodney (referring to crew chief, Rodney Haygood) asked him to come in and Rick asked if he could ride it out to the next yellow." Unfortunately, "Rick was coming around for the third lap -with the tire rubbing- when the LF tire blew and hit the wall at full speed. "

It was only last month when West Coast fans were delighted with Carelli as he won the Truck event at Mesa Marin, a track he had raced on so many times. Carelli and another west coast driver, Kevin Harvick held off a hard charging Stacy Compton to finish one, two. Carelli is currently 6th in the standings. It is not yet known when he will return to racing. For now the "High Plains Drifter" has a much harder race, to get well.

The fans, crew and friends of Rick Carelli all wish him well and extend their prayers not only to Carelli and his family but also to Rodney Haygood and the entire RE/MAX crew. It is a difficult time for all of them.

As of yet, a replacement driver for the #6 RE/MAX truck has not been announced.

Special thanks you to Al Gonella for contributing to this story.

Source: Various
Posted: 5/10/99