Following Saturday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series event at the Smoky Mountain Speedway a group of onlookers gathered around the hauler of Chris Madden as an ambulance sat parked with lights flashing. Moments later, the Gray Court, SC driver was assisted to the back of the ambulance by emergency personnel where he was tended to.
Chris Madden’s No. 44
Madden’s No. 44 machine had slid into the third turn wall on lap 49 of the 60-lap affair after suffering what appeared to be a flat tire. The impact looked to be a jolting one and the results have sidelined the five time Southern Nationals champion indefinitely with concussion symptoms.
A post was made to Madden’s website on Wednesday morning explaining the cause for the driver’s break from racing.
Here is that post:
July 13, 2016 – Due to the concussion suffered in last Saturday night’s Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series race at Smoky Mountain Speedway, Chris Madden has regrettably announced today that he will be forced to skip this year’s version of the Schaeffer’s Oil Southern Nationals Series. The five-time Southern Nationals Series Champion has battled several days of dizziness since the wreck Saturday at the Maryville, Tennessee facility and will be taking as much time as needed to get back to 100% physically before returning to the cockpit. It is unclear at this time when Chris will hit the track next, but he plans to at least take the next couple of weeks off from racing action. Keep visiting the website for the latest news and information on the #44 CMR team.
Chris Madden
Madden was forced to skip the 2015 version of the Southern Nationals as his team was reorganized and new cars were being built.
Earlier this year, Crossville, Tenn. driver Randy Weaver had to put his racing efforts on hold after suffering a concussion during a LOLMDS race at the East Alabama Motor Speedway in April. He has yet to return to racing action.
