From Steve Inch
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Race car driver Jake Waters, 32, of Mifflintown is listed in critical but stable condition this evening (July 4) at the Lehigh Valley Hospital Burn Recovery Center in Allentown from injuries he sustained in a 305 sprint car race Sunday night at Selinsgrove Speedway.
The accident occurred on lap four of the 20-lap main event when Waters’ sprint car struck the inside guardrail in turn one, veered into the outside wall, flipped over, and caught fire. He was extricated from his race car and airlifted from a nearby lot to the Lehigh Valley Hospital where he was admitted to the Burn Recovery Center with second and third degree burns.
The remainder of the race was cancelled and fellow IMCA Pennsylvania Sprint Series teams announced Sunday’s purse will be donated to the Waters family to assist with medical expenses.
Curt and Cindy Waters, Jake’s parents, met with speedway officials Sunday afternoon and expressed their sincere appreciation for the outpouring of support from the racing community.
Cards can be sent to Lehigh Valley Hospital—Cedar Crest, 1200 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Kasych Family Pavilion SK Room 34, Attention Jake Waters, Allentown, PA 18103. Please note the Burn Recovery Center does not permit flowers to be delivered to patients.
An emergency responder and another driver also received minor burns in assisting Waters from the wreckage.
The 305 sprint car race was part of the 26th Annual PA Speedweek Series for 410 sprint cars which wrapped up Sunday at Selinsgrove.