Roush still critical after airplane crash

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Motorsports magnate and multiple NASCAR team owner Jack Roush was in critical but stable condition Saturday morning in the intensive care unit at the University of Alabama Birmingham Medical Center after crashing a private airplane Friday near Troy, Ala.

Roush Racing released a statement Saturday morning that said the team owner “suffered closed head injuries but, according to his attending physician he is following commands.” The statement said other injuries included minor chest and internal injuries and fractures to his lower extremities.

“The head injury is the most serious of the injuries he has,” Roush Racing president Geoff Smith said, “but we are very encouraged by the fact he can follow commands and respond to the commands he is given.

At about 4 p.m. ET, a Roush Racing spokeswoman said Roush was being prepared for surgery on his left leg, which had three breaks, including a compound fracture of the femur (thigh bone). Smith said Roush’s right leg was also fractured.

“We are told to be guarded about the head injury for the next 48 hours since circumstances can change in that regard,” Smith said.

The crashed remains of the aircraft Jack Roush was piloting is seen outside a hanger at the Troy Municipal Airport in Troy, Ala., on Saturday. Credit: AP

After the crash in Troy, about 50 miles from Montgomery, Roush, whose 60th birthday was Friday, was airlifted by helicopter to Birmingham, arriving at the hospital at 10 p.m. CT, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

“I just know he was with friends that live in the Atlanta area and they were celebrating as you would expect Jack to do, flying aircraft and having a good time,” Smith said. “The doctors and several visitors have confirmed acknowledgements he makes -- hand squeezes and such (but) he is on a respirator so he cannot speak.”

“He had great color but looked pretty beat up,” Roush driver Mark Martin said after visiting Roush Friday night in Birmingham. “I had to go there to see it was really him.

“I know everybody wants answers right now and I understand that. But you just have to wait.”

“Our thoughts are with Jack Roush, his family and the Roush organizations during this difficult time,” NASCAR chairman of the board Bill France said Saturday morning in a statement. “Jack Roush is an innovator and leader in the NASCAR industry.

“His tireless efforts have helped the sport achieve the success it enjoys today. All members of the NASCAR family are praying for his recovery.”

Smith described the plane that Roush was flying as a twin-engined experimental “Aircam,” not Roush’s P-51 Mustang World War II fighter plane, as had been speculated in various media.

	Roush Racing President Geoff Smith Credit: AP

The Associated Press reported it went down in a gated residential area at around 6 p.m. CT and that a resident of the neighborhood, Larry Hicks, pulled Roush from the wreckage.

“We do not know any details of the crash at this time -- there is no data to confirm how long he was under water,” Smith said. “But I would like to acknowledge Larry Hicks. I have yet to meet him but we are trying to contact him.

“He is the gentleman who pulled Jack out of the water and resuscitated him. Without Larry and the members of the Troy Police Department’s help we would not be as confident as we are at this moment.”

“Obviously, as everyone knows he had a tremendous passion for flying as well as racing,” Martin said. “The airplane, from what I understand belonged to a friend and was designed for use by National Geographic for photographing, hence the name that Geoff gave you.”

The NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series are racing at Talladega this weekend, with Roush’s four primary Winston Cup teams as well as the affiliated Wood Brothers Racing operation in attendance. One of his two Busch teams is on hand as well.

“We are gonna take care of business because he has got eyes in the back of his head,” Martin said after all four Roush cars participated in the morning practice session. Roush’s second place point man Matt Kenseth was second quickest in the session behind fast man Mike Skinner.

According to NASCAR vice president of corporate communications Jim Hunter, Roush Racing drivers Martin, Jeff Burton and Kurt Busch were all at the hospital during the evening, as were NASCAR vice president for administration George Pyne and several Talladega Superspeedway personnel.

“In the meantime, Roush Racing is an organization that has many senior managers in engineering administration and fabulous race car drivers,” Smith said of the plan for the weekend. “All of us, from our boss, have an understanding that we will go forward and compete this weekend and that is what we are planning to do.”