CLEARFIELD, Pa. – Hidden Valley Speedway officials have provided an update on the three people taken to a local hospital following a crash at the track on Saturday night.
Raymond Reynolds, the 2020 Street Stock champion a the Pennsylvania track, confirmed that he was feeling fine. He did admit he expected to, “be pretty sore tomorrow.”
Reynolds was competing during the street stock feature Saturday when he lost control of his car and hit an embankment and utility pole where photographer Kinser Mayhew and his father, flagman Kenny Mayhew, were standing.
“It happened so quick, I tried to stop, but I couldn’t. I really hope Kenny and his son are going to be ok,” said Reynolds, who has been released from the hospital.
Reynolds said he reported to rescue personnel his neck hurt and they advised him to remain in the car until additional help arrived. He was then cut from the car before being transported to Penn Highlands Clearfield.
“They did x-rays fearing I had a broken collar bone, but everything came back clear,” he said. “I talked to the photographer (Kinser Mayhew) and he was more concerned about me than himself.”
Kinser Mayhew gave an update on his father via Facebook messenger to track staff, confirming his father had undergone surgery.
“My father (Kenny Mayhew) had surgery done on his hand and the surgery went well,” Kinser Mayhew said in the message.
He added that the hospital would also be giving his father a back brace. As for himself, Kinser Mayhew said doctors expect him to make a full recover in one to two months.
“As for me, the pain isn’t too bad but I should make a recovery within a month or two,” Kinser Mayhew said.
There is no time table for Kenny Mayhew’s recovery, but Kinser Mayhew said his father is in good spirits. Kenny Mayhew is expected to stay in the hospital a few more days as they work to manage his pain level and address some swelling in his neck. It’s possible he may need back surgery.
“The racing community really pulls together in times like this,” said Hidden Valley Speedway Promoter Jennifer Luzier Bailey. “Whether it’s your biggest rival or your favorite driver, they all come together in these times, and for that we are grateful.”