[Team Yates]

Rudd separates shoulder, knocked unconscious in wreck

By Marty Smith
ESPN.com
(Archive)

Updated: September 3, 2007, 12:56 PM ET

NASCAR iron man Ricky Rudd, who made his 900th career Cup Series start Sunday at California Speedway, separated his left shoulder and was briefly knocked unconscious in a wicked wreck during the Sharp Aquos 500, the veteran driver told ESPN.com Monday.
"It knocked me out for just a little bit, but not real bad," Rudd said. "It was one of those deals that sort of stunned me. It happened so quick I'm not sure what happened, but I was out for just a second."
The shoulder is the major concern, and leaves Rudd concerned about his status for next weekend's Chevy Rock 'n Roll 400 at Richmond International Raceway. He said he wouldn't grade his chances of competing as very high, which is significant, considering Rudd once taped his eyelids open with duct tape so he could race.
"If you try to raise your arm at all, you can't do it," he said. "It just takes your breath."
Monday morning, Rudd was waiting to have an MRI by Carolina Panthers team doctors to determine the extent of the shoulder separation.
"[Sunday] night the guy looked at it and said, 'The collarbone's not broken,' and I said, 'Well, that's a good thing,' and he said, 'No, that's not really a good thing,'" Rudd said. "[He said] you've got a separated shoulder and I didn't know what that meant. Around your rotator cuff there's a lot of ligaments and tendons, and depending on severity they may have to do surgery. The only way to know that is an MRI."
He doesn't remember the accident. It happened behind him when Jeff Gordon clipped the rear of Rudd's No. 88 Ford during a multicar pileup on Lap 181. Rudd was transported to a local hospital, treated and released.
"I didn't see anything," Rudd said. "I didn't see it coming because it was behind me. Next thing I know I'm handing a right down the straightaway and headed straight for the fence. There was no time to even brace for it.
"That lap or two is out of my memory. I was awake when I stopped. But I tried to unbuckle and couldn't because my shoulder just wouldn't work."
Rudd said he thinks his shoulder was caught underneath the headrest that prevents side-to-side movement of the driver's head during an accident. He also said the evolution of the wreck may result in some "re-engineering" of his race seat.
"It hurts pretty bad, but it could have been a lot worse," Rudd said.
Marty Smith covers Nextel Cup racing for ESPN.com.

Way to go Gordon!!
Last night's race may well turn out to be his last race instead of Homestead!!
Thanks Gordon!!

[nascarfan24]

Oh come on! I'm so sick and tired of people thinking Gordon is the Hitler of Nascar! He did not mean to wreck! Why would he!?! He did not mean to hurt Rudd! Why whould he!?! He's probably feeling horrible right now and trying to contact Rudd. When I saw the wreck happen, I was so mad. I wasn't mad because Gordon was involved, he's locked in the chase. I was mad because no matter how hard he tries, Rudd can not catch a break. He announces he's going to retire and then nothing goes right for him. And then people find another reason to hate Gordon. Even if you were joking, I don't care. I can't even find a Gordon hater to have an intelligent conversation with because all of thier reasons are BS. I'm sorry for losing it but I swear...

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by nascarfan24

Oh come on! I'm so sick and tired of people thinking Gordon is the Hitler of Nascar! He did not mean to wreck! Why would he!?! He did not mean to hurt Rudd! Why whould he!?! He's probably feeling horrible right now and trying to contact Rudd. When I saw the wreck happen, I was so mad. I wasn't mad because Gordon was involved, he's locked in the chase. I was mad because no matter how hard he tries, Rudd can not catch a break. He announces he's going to retire and then nothing goes right for him. And then people find another reason to hate Gordon. Even if you were joking, I don't care. I can't even find a Gordon hater to have an intelligent conversation with because all of thier reasons are BS. I'm sorry for losing it but I swear...

Once again you get this impression that everyone thinks Jeff is an all around bad guy. Jeff is not one of my all time favorites, but I don't see him as Hitler and not once have I ever seen anyone mention him in that light. As a Gordon fan you seem to be over reacting. Granted there are those who are verbal about their dislike for Jeff but not to the extent you percieve it.

When you make statements such as the Hitler statement you just invite abuse. Enjoy the year Jeff is having and bask in the glory of it. Allowing others anger to interfere with your joy is detremental to your well being. You're in first place !!! Run with that !!!

[jks812]

Originally Posted by nascarfan24

Oh come on! I'm so sick and tired of people thinking Gordon is the Hitler of Nascar! He did not mean to wreck! Why would he!?! He did not mean to hurt Rudd! Why whould he!?! He's probably feeling horrible right now and trying to contact Rudd. When I saw the wreck happen, I was so mad. I wasn't mad because Gordon was involved, he's locked in the chase. I was mad because no matter how hard he tries, Rudd can not catch a break. He announces he's going to retire and then nothing goes right for him. And then people find another reason to hate Gordon. Even if you were joking, I don't care. I can't even find a Gordon hater to have an intelligent conversation with because all of thier reasons are BS. I'm sorry for losing it but I swear...

I have never seen anyone on here refer to Gordon as hitler of nascar. Also, where did the article say that Gordon meant to wreck Rudd? No one on here said that Gordon meant to. I do not like Gordon much and I don't think he meant to wreck him.
Instead of jumping the gun about people thinking he did it on purpose, wait until somebody actually say they think he did it on purpose.

[SpaceCadet]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Enjoy the year Jeff is having and bask in the glory of it. Allowing others anger to interfere with your joy is detremental to your well being. You're in first place !!! Run with that !!!

Ok, hold on while I put on my armor before I ask this question. Doesn't it seem like just about the time Letarte got punted for following in Chad's footsteps that things have kind of taken a down hill turn for Gordon? He hasn't had too much good luck in the past few weeks. Do I feel a momentum shift? He may be in the chase, but once the chase starts he's on nearly equal footing with everyone else whether he's in first place now or not. I don't think he has that 5th championship in the bag just yet. Things just don't seem to be going that well for him lately at a time when he really needs consistancy to transition smoothly into the "playoffs".

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

Ok, hold on while I put on my armor before I ask this question. Doesn't it seem like just about the time Letarte got punted for following in Chad's footsteps that things have kind of taken a down hill turn for Gordon? He hasn't had too much good luck in the past few weeks. Do I feel a momentum shift? He may be in the chase, but once the chase starts he's on nearly equal footing with everyone else whether he's in first place now or not. I don't think he has that 5th championship in the bag just yet. Things just don't seem to be going that well for him lately at a time when he really needs consistancy to transition smoothly into the "playoffs".

I didn't say anything about a championship plus if you look at the chase system you'll see that if the chase were to start tomorrow he would be a mere 10 points out of first. 10 points is squat. I would say that up until two weeks ago he was just trying to remain in the chase. Now that he is locked in he can go all out. I believe he did this past week and will do the same this coming week in Richmond. He has nothing to lose at this point.

I would also say that anytime a CC is removed or leaves for whatever reason there is some continuity lost. When that happens then yes the team may experience a slump.

The day the chase starts no one has the championship in the bag. I do not like the chase at all but at that point you better be at your best in all aspects or prepare to end up in 12th place.

[nascarfan24]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Once again you get this impression that everyone thinks Jeff is an all around bad guy. Jeff is not one of my all time favorites, but I don't see him as Hitler and not once have I ever seen anyone mention him in that light. As a Gordon fan you seem to be over reacting. Granted there are those who are verbal about their dislike for Jeff but not to the extent you percieve it.

When you make statements such as the Hitler statement you just invite abuse. Enjoy the year Jeff is having and bask in the glory of it. Allowing others anger to interfere with your joy is detremental to your well being. You're in first place !!! Run with that !!!

You're right, thanks. I was just using the whole Hitler thing as a metaphore because it seems like you are either way for him or against him and it seems like those against him think he is a horrible person that should die and talk about him almost like Hitler. I did over react, but I just get irritated when people think Gordon has 100% percent control of his surroundings all the time and his every move is intentional. But thank you again for setting me straight. You are a great moderator, nice job!

[Team Yates]

Originally Posted by Team Yates

Way to go Gordon!!
Last night's race may well turn out to be his last race instead of Homestead!!
Thanks Gordon!!

Originally Posted by nascarfan24

Oh come on! I'm so sick and tired of people thinking Gordon is the Hitler of Nascar! He did not mean to wreck! Why would he!?! He did not mean to hurt Rudd! Why whould he!?! He's probably feeling horrible right now and trying to contact Rudd. When I saw the wreck happen, I was so mad. I wasn't mad because Gordon was involved, he's locked in the chase. I was mad because no matter how hard he tries, Rudd can not catch a break. He announces he's going to retire and then nothing goes right for him. And then people find another reason to hate Gordon. Even if you were joking, I don't care. I can't even find a Gordon hater to have an intelligent conversation with because all of thier reasons are BS. I'm sorry for losing it but I swear...

What did I say to make you think we make him out to be the "Hitler of Nascar"? I don't recall saying anything about Hitler, or making any kind of comparisons of Gordon and Hitler!! I, merely, started a thread about Rudd's injuries, and stated my thanks!!
He didn't mean to wreck - well, who means to wreck!! Did I say that he wrecked on purpose?!? Or that he singled Rudd out?!? I don't recall that statement. The statement in it's entirety is listed above, at the beginning of the post!!
I commend you for feeling bad for Rudd, I, as well feel bad for him!! It has been a tough season for Rudd and the Yates team.
I really don't recall saying that I hate Gordon (at least in this thread), I believe that I just voiced my displeasure of the events. I thought I was pretty decent about it, I didn't call him anything, or say that he was lacking control of his car, or say "What a bone headed move", etc., I just stated facts and said "Thanks!!"
As far me - ("joking and you not caring") whatever, I don't know what the big problem is with my saying "Thanks"!! I've seen it said by many people about Stewie, etc. plenty of times and nobody has a problem.
You say you can't find a Gordon hater to have an intelligent conversation with because of their reasons are BS!! How do you expect to find one when you say all their reasons are BS? Why would they waste their time again just to hear you say their reasons are BS?!? What makes their reasons worth less than Stewie or "insert name" bashers/haters? Although time and time again, it seems to come down from Gordon fans that any reason that we say we "hate" Gordon our reasons are BS, but anything can be said about any other driver without any reprecussions?!?

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by nascarfan24

You're right, thanks. I was just using the whole Hitler thing as a metaphore because it seems like you are either way for him or against him and it seems like those against him think he is a horrible person that should die and talk about him almost like Hitler. I did over react, but I just get irritated when people think Gordon has 100% percent control of his surroundings all the time and his every move is intentional. But thank you again for setting me straight. You are a great moderator, nice job!

Seldom do I go out on a limb and make any bold personal expressions about very many drivers. I will admit that I do make consistent statements about Tony and Mikey. I'll let my record and theirs speak for itself in respect to the both of them.

I am and for many, many years have been a race fan versus a driver fan. I find it makes watching the race far more enjoyable and far less stressful.
As for Gordon, when he first arrived on the scene I liked him. He was new and refreshing and had the drive to win. Over time I began to dislike him because he (in my perception) became a whiner. Today I appreciate him as a driver because of his abilities. That is a category that many drivers fall into, for me, which again makes it easy for me to watch races as a race fan instead of a fan of any particular driver/team.

In all my time at GTG I have found Jeff to be the most controversial driver to our members. Those that hate him, hate him and those that love him, love him and seem to get more offended than fans of other drivers. I've never been able to figure it out since virtually none of us have any personal relationship with any of these drivers, which again leaves me baffled about this love of him as a driver. How does anyone have this sincere devotion without even knowing the person.

Anyway, hopefully this thread will not get out of hand and we can get back to the pleasure of NASCAR discussions.

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

In all my time at GTG I have found Jeff to be the most controversial driver to our members.

Wow.have you spoke unglowingly about big or little e as of late?lol.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

As a Gordon fan you seem to be over reacting.

Isn't that typical for a lot of members with Dupont, Pepsi or 24 in their name?

[PenelopePitStop]

Oh, my! I have to add my two cents here, like it or not.

I didn't see the wreck. I missed it while I was traveling from one location to another, so I cannot comment on whose fault it was ... if not just racing. But using Hitler and Gordon in the same sentence is obscene. Not a Gordon fan, though I don't hate him as much as I used to, but that comparison is just repulsive.

I'm just glad Ricky is relatively ok. I always liked him. The same way I am glad Mikey is ok after his fiery crash. I always liked him as well. (LSC will beat me up on that one!)

I don't think ANY driver intends to injure another. Look at poor Sterling Marlin. Do I have to explain the controversy about that one?

There must be a full moon across the entire country lately (though I know that's not scientifically possible). People are really sitting on thumbtacks as of late ... or maybe that's just my impression.

[Team Yates]

Rudd didn't get in to see Dr. Petty this morning, as he was doing surgeries all day. So, it is rescheduled for tomorrow.

[LSC9901]

Originally Posted by PettyBlue

Wow.have you spoke unglowingly about big or little e as of late?lol.

Obviously what you and I consider bold statements differs. Of Sr. I have only said in the negative that I didn't like his crash & pass style of driving. I think if you research you'll also find that I have made some positive statements about Sr.

Again, from my perspective, I've made no BOLD statements about Jr. For me bold would be defending someones reputation totally or defaming them totally. Since I know none of these men other than what I see, read and am told by the media idiots how could I possibly form an all out opinion on any of them. My statements are about what I see on TV for the most part. I don't consider that a bold statement just an observation. Now in your case you may see it differently. That's OK.

[nascarfan24]

Okay just to set things straight about the whole Gordon-Hitler thing. As we saw at at Talladega, people don't generaly like Jeff. Most people that hate him see not one value in him. Same for Hitler. I wasn't saying anything relating Gordon to what Hitler did. The opinions of people that oppose each of them are alike in some ways. I never ment to start everyone off on another Gordon issue. Yesterday, I was already angry and when I saw some of the posts that went against my values, I snapped. Once again, knowing that this paragraph will end up being multi-colored with some of my opinions under fire, I am sorry.