April 20, 2002

TALLADEGA, AL - Jack Roush, 60, was critically injured when the twin- engine open cockpit Air Cam plane he was piloting went down in a pond inside the Palos Verdes Estates outside Troy, Ala.

Geoff Smith, president of Roush Racing, updated the media at Talladega Superspeedway on Saturday morning.

"Jack is in critical, but stable, condition with the worst of his injuries being a closed head injury," said Smith. "He also suffered two leg fractures which are suppose to be set later today.

Roush was pulled from the aircraft and the water by Larry Hicks, a resident of the community and resuscitated. He was then transported to Edge Regional Medical Center in Troy before being airlifted to the University of Alabama, Birmingham Medical Center where he was admitted to the intensive care unit. Waiting for Roush in Birmingham were Roush Racing drivers Mark Martin and Jeff Burton.

Martin said he couldn't believe it was Jack Roush.

"I guess I was in shock," said Martin. "From the reports we heard it didn' t make sense." Martin had heard reports that Roush was flying an experimental airplane. In fact the airplane was not experimental but it also was not FAA approved.

Martin admitted he did see Roush, reporting, "He had great color but he was pretty beat up. I know everybody wants answers right now, believe me, I know and understand all that, but in situations like this you just have to wait. Last night it was going to be 24 hours before anything at all could be determined, and we've had some earlier positive signs."

Martin sadly admitted Roush did not respond to his presence, at that time. Smith stated Roush's condition has improved with doctors and other visitors saying the racing and flying enthusiast has been able to follow commands and respond to the commands he has been given.

A closed head injury is the most serious of head injuries. At this time Smith acknowledged the next 48 hours are quite crucial.

"We are told to be guarded about the head injury for the next 48 hours because circumstances can change in that regard. In the meantime, Roush Racing is an organization that has many senior managers in engineering and fabulous race-car drivers and managers, and all of us, from our boss Jack Roush, have the understanding in our lives that we are to go forward and compete this weekend, which is what we're all prepared to do."

Specific questions about the plane and the crash investigation were not answered with Smith saying that information was not available to him at this time.

The manufacturer of the Air Cam, Leza Air Cam, is located in Sebring, Fla. Further information on the Air Cam plane can be found by searching the Internet for Air Cam, going to www.aircamsites.com or www.lezaaircam.com

You can contact Stan at: Insider Racing News