SBRS: D'Agostino medical update 2004-01-19

Invercargill, New Zealand -- Team USA Scholarship driver Joe D'Agostino, 18, from Plantation, Fla., was released from Southland Hospital in Invercargill his morning (Tuesday) after suffering a broken humerus bone in his (upper) left arm and a concussion when he crashed heavily during Sunday's New Zealand Grand Prix at Teretonga Park.

"It's good to be out; it's a relief," said D'Agostino. "Everyone at the track and the hospital was really good. They were very efficient, they treated me really well and helped me out with anything I needed. I'm very grateful for that, and for everyone who called and sent messages to ask how I was doing. That means a lot to me.

"It was a pretty rough time but I was just happy to have a lot of people there to help me through it."

D'Agostino has opted to remain in New Zealand, rather than fly home immediately, and will be in Christchurch to lend his support to teammates Charlie Kimball and Ryan Millen in this coming weekend's final round of the Talley's International Formula Ford Series at Ruapuna Park Raceway.

"I'll be there cheering on Ryan and Charlie," said D'Agostino. "I'll be in their corner just as they were in my corner when I was in the hospital.

"So that means these guys had better win," he added cheerfully.

-js-