It's been often said that one of the many things that makes auto racing, from the NASCAR Nextel Cup to the Saturday night levels, so very special is the strong sense of family bond between the participants.
The drivers may fight like cats and dogs on the track to get to victory lane, crew chiefs and team owners can often been seen arguing with colleagues over something that happened on the track and sometimes we even see them pushing and shoving each other on a Sunday afternoon national television broadcast.
Sometimes family members do bicker with each other but, most important, family members are always there for each other when one of their own needs some help. In the racing family that help can range from something simple, such as the loaning of car parts so a team can make a race, or it can much more serious such as a fallen family member who is facing a life and death situation.
Sadly, at this point in time, a member of the racing family seriously needs your help. NASCAR racing veteran ST James Davis remains at the Loma Linda Hospital in critical condition following massive injuries from an animal attack, March 3d, at an animal santuary near Bakersfield, California.
Davis and his wife LaDonna were visiting the Animal Haven Ranch, a sanctuary for retired zoo animals in Caliente, approximately 20 miles south of Bakersfield, to celebrate Moe the chimpanzee's 39th birthday. The Davises adopted Moe approximately 40 years ago and he quickly became the son they never had.
While the West Covina, California racing couple enjoyed a life time of happiness with Moe, it went bad in 1999 when the chimp bit a woman's finger tip off during a visit to the Davis home. Part of the settlement of the case included Moe being placed in the animal sanctuary.
The Davises continued to make regular visits to see Moe and that's what placed them at the santuary on that fateful morning. Somewhere around 1130am, for reasons still under investigation, four chimpanzees escaped from their cages. Two of them attacked the Davises. The attack on ST James lasted approximately five minutes before officials could secure the scene. It was quickly pointed out that Moe remained in his cage stunned and had nothing to do with the incident.
St James Davis sustained massive injuries and was eventually transported to Loma Linda Hospital for what is going to be a lengthy series of surgeries. LaDonna Davis was treated for animal bites, including the loss of her thumb on her left hand.
At this writing, St James Davis remains in critical condition and in a state of doctor induced coma. He has already underwent 12 experimental plastic surgery procedures in an attempt to repair injuries to his face, hands and feet. Sadly, it's been reported that these procedures failed due to body rejection and doctors maintain a constant vigil over him while trying to figure out the next approach. LaDonna Davis is there with her husband full time talking to him and encouraging him to keep fighting.
All of these medical procedures are being performed without the benefit of insurance and the bills are astronomical. That prompted long time Davis family friend Nadine Sigman to take action and establish a trust fund to help with those bills.
Sigman, the well known propietor of the Riverside based Professional Racers Emporium, has established a special fund at the same West Covina bank where the Davises has conducted their financial business for many years.
Sigman is in contant contact with LaDonna Davis and monitors the situation on a full time basis. She deeply admires LaDonna's resolve and determination during this tragic time. Then again, anyone who has ever met the Davises' is well aware of their pioneer sense, their refusal to give up when reaching for their goals and their wonderful sense of humor that has carried them through life.
Donations to help the Davis family may be sent to: Pacific Western Bank, 200 South Vincent Avenue, West Covina, California, 91790. Please make sure you make your check is made out to the LaDonna Davis Fund so the bank will know what account to place it in.
Whether you are a driver, team owner, crew member, promoter, official, media or a fan who never misses a night at your favorite track, we are all part of the unique racing family.
One of our own needs our help. We're asking you to keep ST James and LaDonna Davis in your prayers for the power of prayer has been known to accomplish miracles.
