Southwest Tour Driver hurt.

[Roselady3]

NFSWS DRIVER, DAVID POOK, HOSPITALIZED AFTER CRASH AT PIR
Source: VARIOUS
Date: 01/17/2002


David Pook, NASCAR SW Series driver, is hospitlized in critical condition in the ICU unit at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, from injuries he sustained today during a crash while testing at PIR. More complete information should be forthcoming tomorrow.

It was reported by a reliable source that Pook sustained a possible broken neck and internal injuries.

Updates to Pook's condition will be listed when they become available. Normally visitation for patients in ICU is limited to the family and very close friends. Perhaps the best thing we can do for Pook and his family right now is to hold them up in prayer.

Thoughts and Prayers for Pook may be sent to: cares@racingwest.com.

[Lars]

Just what NASCAR didn't need right now...hope & pray he comes out it.

[Roselady3]

Did you hear how or what happened?
I kinda just fell over this & there are NO details as to what happened.

[Lars]

Nope...not until you mentioned it.

[Roselady3]

David Pook injured Thursday at Phoenix test
NASCAR-FSWS SCCA-RACE INDYLIGHTS ATLANTIC CART

2002-01-18


DETROIT (January 18, 2002) - David Pook, the 30-year-old son of Championship Auto Racing Teams President and CEO Christopher R. Pook, was injured in a private testing accident late Thursday at Phoenix International Raceway in suburban Phoenix.

David Pook was transported to nearby Good Samaritan Hospital where he remains today in critical condition in the Intensive Neurological Care Unit with a clean fracture of his second cervical vertebra. According to neurosurgeon Dr. Barry Kriegsfeld, immediate plans call for Pook to be fitted with a "halo" device, and it is not believed that the injury will require surgery. Pook is conscious and talking, and is in good spirits.

Pook was testing his NASCAR Featherlite Southwest Tour Chevrolet stock car and was on one of the day's final test runs when the car fell victim to a suspected steering failure. He was travelling approximately 150 miles per hour down the front straightaway of the one-mile oval at the time of the suspected equipment failure, which resulted in a nearly head-on collision with the Turn 1 wall. He was wearing a HANS Device.

Pook is a veteran race driver who has competed in both the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship and the Dayton Indy Lights Championship. He also drove a Van Diemen RF95 to the 1995 SCCA Formula Continental national championship.

Chris Pook, travelling at the time of the injury, altered his plans and is now with his son at the hospital in Phoenix. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

UPDATE: Friday afternoon: Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona provided the following update this afternoon on the condition of David Pook, son of Championship Auto Racing Teams President and CEO Christopher R. Pook:

David Pook has been transferred out of the Intensive Neurological Care Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital and his condition has been upgraded to fair.

[Speedworx]

Lets hope he makes a full and speedy recovery.

[The Beer Baron]

David Pook has been released from the hospital today.

He was wearing a HANS device.

[KC]

David is the son of new CART CEO Chris Pook. He has been fitted with a neck immobilizing HALO but should recover nicely. He was pretty lucky. He apparently suffered catastrophic steering failure at the end of the straight and hit the wall head on.