Stewart-Haas Racing engineer DJ VanderLey raced in the Micro Sprint division on the Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway dirt track
This weekend, Texas Motor Speedway will host the opening race in the Round of 12 for the NASCAR Playoffs. Stewart-Haas driver Chase Briscoe is one of the 12 drivers remaining in the playoff battle.
Texas TV Schedule: September 2022 (NASCAR)
However, before the NASCAR Cup Series took to the track, the Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway dirt track opened the weekend. The track was previously a 1/5-mile asphalt oval.
Racing this week was the opening week for the new bullring dirt track. It’s a four-day micro-sprint event. And just days ahead of the NASCAR race, the fans and entry lists were filled.
One of those racers was Daren VanderLey, who works as an engineer for Stewart-Haas Racing. VanderLey was involved in an accident at the track that sent him airlifted to a local hospital.
Stewart-Haas Racing issues statement
On Friday, Stewart-Haas Racing issued the following statement:
“DJ VanderLey, an engineer at Stewart-Haas Racing, sustained injuries in an on-track racing accident late Thursday night while competing in a micro sprint Outlaw division race on the Lil’ Texas Motor Speedway dirt oval in Fort Worth,” Stewart-Haas Racing opened in a statement.
“The 30-year-old from Mooresville, North Carolina, was transported to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hispital in Fort Worth for further evaluation and medical care.”
“Due to HIPAA regulations, Stewart-Haas Racing is not permitted to release further details on VerderLey’s condition at this time. Friends and family have established a GoFundMe to support VerderLay.”
The team statement concluded, “The thoughts of everyone at Stewart-Haas Racing are with VerderLay and his family during this difficult time and all are praying for his recovery.”
Update from wife Jordan
The family has also posted a medical update:
“This is one of the hardest posts I’ve ever had to make, but I know people have been asking for an update,” Jordan VanderLey stated.
“Daren VanderLey was involved in a terrible accident during a race at Texas Motor Speedway. He was flight lifted to a hospital in Fort Worth where he is currently still in surgery. He has several fractured vertebrae and has a spinal cord injury.”
“We won’t know the extent of the damage until later. He has been in surgery the past seven hours, and pray the Lord is guiding the surgeons hands. We are asking that you lift our family in prayers for a miracle during this difficult time.”
“We have been so blessed with our racing family who are moving mountains to support us.”
As of Friday afternoon, VanderLey exited surgery. He now begins a lengthy recovery.
As of Friday night, the GoFundMe reached $13,850 of the $20,000 goal.
Click here to view the GoFundMe page
