Memo Gidley Condition (7th Update)
To send well wishes to Memo, go to www.gainscoracing.com/All4Memo or use #All4Memo on Twitter and Facebook
01/30/14 Memo Gidley is currently scheduled to undergo surgery on his left heel on Friday morning. We will provide updates as available on Friday following the surgery.
01/28/14 After suffering multiple injuries in an on-track accident during the Rolex 24 At Daytona this past weekend, Memo Gidley has a long road to recovery ahead. The incident occurred on Saturday when Gidley was behind the wheel of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette Prototype when he struck the disabled No. 62 Ferrari being driven by Italian driver Matteo Malucelli, Malucelli’s car was without power and moving very slowly between turns three and four of the road course when the No. 99 “Red Dragon" hit him.
Following the incident on Saturday, Gidley was admitted to Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Fla. Once admitted, doctors discovered multiple fractures, including his lower left leg and left elbow, along with a lower back compression fracture. These injuries have required Gidley to have two surgeries since Saturday.
On Saturday, doctors immediately addressed the left leg and left arm injuries by completing an almost four-hour surgery shortly after Gidley’s admittance into the hospital. On Monday evening, doctors stabilized and repaired the compression fracture in Gidley’s lower back in an extended surgery.
“The objective is to get Memo into a stabilized condition so that the doctors can figure out what all the issues are," team owner Bob Stallings said. “We are not at that place yet, and doctors are still evaluating him. The procedures needed to stabilize him aren’t finalized yet."
Stallings has remained at the hospital, and he anticipates staying until Gidley returns to Northern California. Gidley’s athleticism and physical fitness should assist him in this road to recovery.
“Memo is a competitive person and a fighter," Stallings added. “And clearly he is drawing on those strengths as he makes his way through this ordeal. Since last night’s surgery, he has been sedated all day, so we haven’t been able to communicate with him. There is some expectation that later today, if conditions are right, that the doctors may bring him out of the sedation, but that decision hasn’t been made yet."
The goal is to have all medical conditions stabilized over the next 24-48 hours. After that point, the expectations are that he will need a week of rest to gain enough strength for the trip back to Northern California.
“We appreciated the outpouring of support, thoughts and prayers for Memo," Stallings said. “We plan to share those with him once he is awake enough to understand all the well wishes."
Doctors continue to evaluate and monitor Gidley’s progress. Because of the type of injuries Gidley sustained, he is expected to spend an undetermined amount of time in a transitional rehabilitation facility in Northern California upon his release from the hospital in Daytona Beach.
Despite the challenges that Gidley faces on his road to recovery, there is every reason to believe that he will make a substantial recovery. So far, all of his attending physicians are confident and optimistic of that outcome.
01/28/14 Memo Gidley underwent surgery late yesterday to repair and stabilize the fracture in his lower back. He continues to be monitored and evaluated at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Florida.
01/26/14
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| Memo Gidley |
| Courtesy of IMSA |
Statement from Bob Stallings, owner of GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing on Memo Gidley:
“As you can imagine, we are devastated about what happened yesterday on track, but are hopeful that our friend and teammate Memo will make a full recovery. We want to thank the safety team at Daytona International Speedway for being so diligent in getting Memo out of the car safely and to the hospital. Memo is receiving excellent care from the staff and doctors at Halifax Health. We want to thank everyone for the messages, thoughts and prayers for Memo."
Statement from Alex Gurney, co-driver of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette Prototype
“We’re extremely relieved that our friend Memo is recovering. That was one scary crash that could have had a much worse outcome. We were able to see him and speak with him this morning. He is one tough guy, and he’s going to pull through this. I told him to take the rest of the day off."
Statement from Jon Fogarty, co-driver of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette Prototype
“I was able to talk to Memo this morning, and it’s great to see that he’s in good spirits. His positive attitude and physical fitness will be a huge asset in his recovery. I am just super grateful that he is okay and getting better, that is all that matters."
Statement from Darren Law, co-driver of the No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Corvette Prototype
“I am happy that my friend Memo will make a full recovery. It was a hard hit, and it is a testament to safety of the car, our team that built it, and the safety advances of the series that he was able to come of out of it like he did.“
Statement from Andy Jordan, Senior Vice President of Marketing for GAINSCO Insurance
“On behalf of everyone in the GAINSCO family, we are keeping Memo in our thoughts and prayers."
01/26/14 Memo Gidley, driver of the No. 99 GAINSCO / Bob Stallings Racing Corvette DP, underwent surgical procedures on both his left arm and left leg at Halifax Health in Daytona Beach, Florida. Gidley also has an unstable fracture in his back which will require additional surgery before he can be released from the hospital. He continues to be evaluated.
Matteo Malucelli, driver of the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia, remained at Halifax Health overnight for further evaluation. He continues to rest comfortably. An update on his condition will be provided later today.
01/26/14
According to the team, Gidley underwent surgery on his left arm and left leg, and he is currently under observation and further evaluation at Halifax Health.
01/25/14 Both Memo Gidley and Matteo Malucelli are awake, alert and communicating with doctors. They are undergoing further observation at this time. We will pass along more information as we receive it.