Eric Medlen, at 33; professional racer died of injuries suffered in crash

LOS ANGELES -- Professional drag racer Eric Medlen, who drove 300-mile-per-hour funny cars, died Friday of head injuries he suffered in a crash during practice this week in Gainesville, Fla., his team said. He was 33.

Mr. Medlen, who drove for the team owned by the sport's legendary funny-car driver John Force of Yorba Linda, never regained consciousness after his car crashed into a guard wall Monday at Gainesville Raceway.

Mr. Medlen underwent brain surgery Tuesday at the Shands facility at the University of Florida and was being kept in a drug-induced coma to promote healing, but to no avail.

"That is when Eric's family elected to honor Eric's wishes and remove him from the artificial life-support systems," said Dr. Joseph Layon, chief of critical care medicine at the university.

Mr. Medlen's father and crew chief, John, thanked the medical staff "for giving Eric the very best care he could have received" and "the thousands of people who offered their prayers and support."

Mr. Medlen was a native of Oakdale. He won six races sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association between 2004 and 2006. He also finished in the top five in drivers' points those years.

"Words cannot describe how everyone at NHRA is feeling," said association president Tom Compton, who called Mr. Medlen "one of our brightest young stars."

A high school champion in calf-roping rodeo events, Mr. Medlen had considered a future in professional rodeo. But in 1996 his father, John, offered him a mechanic's job on Force's team, and he spent the next several years as a key member of Force's crew.

Then in 2004, Force surprised many by choosing Mr. Medlen to drive one of his funny cars, with his father as crew chief.

In addition to his father, Mr. Medlen leaves his mother, Mary.