Hard Crash Will Take Eilen Away From Racing
For Sometime
Hampton, MN (June 14, 2010) The Eilen & Sons Motorsports team headed to
Cedar Rapids, IA on Friday, June 11th in hopes to change their luck around with
a good finish in an ASAMT race, but unfortunately their luck got worse.
Jonathan started the evening by qualifying in the 20th position which was not
quite fast enough to make the feature race. He started on the front row for the
Last Chance Qualifier race where he would finish in the 2nd position.
Eilen started in the 10th row for the Keith Fleck Miller 100 and was quick to
improve his position. The race was caution free until lap 75. It was
not long after that Eilen felt something "not right" from the rear end of his
car. With only 13 laps to go, Eilen thought he might be able to "limp" his car
to finish the feature race.
Unfortunately, with only three laps to go, the right rear tire gave away as
Jonathan came out of turn 2, turning him around (at close to 80 mph) and hitting
the wall on his driver's side. Jonathan was taken to a local hospital by
ambulance where he underwent multiple scans and tests.
Eilen left the hospital today (Monday, June 14) with a fractured lumbar
vertebrae (L3), bulging discs, some torn cartilage near the injury site, and a
few broken ribs. He is in a lot of pain and it will be sometime before he
can drive, or race, again; but he is very happy to finally be home.
Jonathan would like everyone to know that he is very thankful for everyone
who has shown their support and kept him in their thoughts and prayers. We
are all hoping for a fast recovery.
Take Care Jonathan!
On a lighter note...
Shell Rotella SuperRigs Calendar Committee
Chooses Jonathan Eilen for the 2011 SuperRigs Calendar!
Jonathan and his 2010 Peterbuilt, along with his brother Jake's Mac Trailer,
will be featured in the 2011 Shell Rotella SuperRigs Calendar. Jonathan was one
of the first three trucks picked for the calendar and was honored with a 2nd
Runner-Up "Best of Show."
CONGRATS JONATHAN!