Dakota Hendrickson is recovering after a vicious crash at the start of the A Main at Knoxville Raceway on 3M Night this past Saturday evening. Dakota's car catapulted from the inside of the track in turn 1, top wing first into the catch fence on the outside of the track. The top wing partially penetrated the catch fence ripping it from the race car. The car continued cage first into the steel stanchion where the high part of the guard rail begins that continues around turns 1 and 2.
The initial impact caused the car to change direction 90 degrees and bounce back onto the racing surface. Dakota was unconscious for a few moments when safety workers arrived, but regained consciousness and was alert and responsive. He was able to climb out of the car and walk to the ambulance. After checking his vital signs and getting some oxygen, Dakota returned to his trailer.
His family took him to Knoxville Community Hospital following the event to have him checked out throughly for precautionary reasons. His scans and test indicated no immediate health issues.
He returned to Omaha, NE early Sunday morning and is recuperating well. He is very anxious to return to the track, but his return will be determined once he has some additional follow up with his doctors in Omaha.
Dakota would like to thank all his friends and fans for their well wishes and concerns. His family said, "Racing is an amazing sport. We are so blessed to have so many people reach out with their prayers and concern. It makes you feel really good about the racing community and the racing family!"
Here are a couple links to videos of the crash:
https://video.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xft1/v/t42.1790-2/11731816_10156057638615556_1195625931_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjQ3NywicmxhIjo1MTJ9&rl=477&vabr=265&oh=d9fc71180b8fe7834e9addc002e7fa19&oe=55B688A5 This video was shot by young Presley Arnold, 9 year-old son of Eric Arnold from the Press box.
https://video.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xtf1/v/t42.1790-2/11763965_10203575046450676_1525149875_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjY1OCwicmxhIjo1MTJ9&rl=658&vabr=366&oh=7d13d71e7b03e2aa21abf2871e792327&oe=55B696C5 This video was shot by Sheldon Kadavy from the grandstands.