Nemechek succumbs to injuries

Report from Motorsport News International

NASCAR Public Relations

Nemechek succumbs to injuries

MIAMI (March 21, 1997) Driver John Nemechek, 27, of Lakeland Florida died Friday as a result of massive head injuries at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

Nemechek, the youngest brother of NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Joe Nemechek, was hospitalized last Sunday following an accident during the Florida Dodge Dealers 400k NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at the Metro-Dade Homestead Motorsports Complex on March 16.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of John Nemechek," said NASCAR President Bill France. "During this time we extend our hearts and prayers to his parents Joe and Martha and the whole Nemechek family, an integral part of John's career, as well as the NASCAR community. The NASCAR community will miss John Nemechek."

Joe Nemechek, who drives the No. 42 BellSouth Chevrolet on the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, flew to Miami from Darlington, South Carolina, the site of this weekend's TranSouth 400, to be with his brother and family.

Phil Parsons will attempt to qualify and race Nemechek's car in Sunday's 400-mile event.

Funeral arrangements for John Nemechek are as follows:

Sunday, March 23, 1997 5 - 8 p.m. Visitation Heath Funeral Home 328 S. Ingraham Avenue Lakeland, FL 33801

Monday, March 24, 1997 10 a.m. Funeral and Mass Saint Joseph's Catholic Church 210 W. Lemon Street Lakeland, FL 33801

Tuesday, March 25, 1997 7:00 p.m. Memorial Service Mooresville Citizen's Center Joe V Knox Auditorium 215 N. Main Street Mooresville, NC 28115

In lieu of flowers, the Nemechek family has requested that any donations be sent to:

John Nemechek Trust Fund Community Bank of Homestead 28801 S.W. 157th Avenue Homestead, FL 33033

Jack Durbin indy500@freenet.tlh.fl.us Motorsport News International jackd@motorsport.com (Moderators for "rec.autos.sport.info") Homepage http://www.freenet.tlh.fl.us/users/indy500/index.html