McGehee pit crew to wear helmets

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Posted: Monday May 31, 1999 05:40 PM

The IRL has no rule requiring pit crews to wear helmets, but the Energizer team manager said its crews will wear helmets next time. AP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Fellow crewmen of a mechanic who was critically injured when he was run over on pit row during the Indy 500 said Monday they are staying optimistic he will be OK.

Meanwhile, management of the Energizer Motorsports team will have their crews donning helmets at the next Indy Racing League event June 12 at Texas Motor Speedway.

Chief mechanic Steve Fried remained in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis on Monday. He is awake and responding to those around him, doctors said.

Energizer team spokesman Greg Hoover said doctors have told Fried's colleagues not to expect a change in his condition for at least two to three more days.

"It's just really a wait and see situation," Hoover said. "I guess right now we are guardedly optimistic."

The bizarre events left the team emotionally spent by Monday morning, Hoover said. The driver for the three-month-old racing team -- IRL rookie Robby McGehee -- finished fifth in the league's most prestigious race.

Fried was directing his driver's car out of the pit on the 12th lap when Jimmy Kite's car hit him from behind. Kite's car was hit from behind by Johnny Unser, whose brakes failed as he entered the pit.

Fried flipped and landed on his face. He was admitted to Methodist Hospital with head and chest injuries. The collision disabled Kite's steering, preventing him from avoiding Fried.

The IRL has no rule requiring pit crews to wear helmets, but team manager Dave Conti said the Energizer crews will wear helmets next time.

Six CART teams are wearing a prototype helmet designed by Bell Auto Racing. Bell officials said Sunday they hoped to speed development of the helmets, which they will give to any interested racing teams for free.

"Hindsight being 20-20, we are going to outfit all the crew with helmets, even the tire changers," Conti said.

For now, Hoover said the team is focused on its chief mechanic and his family -- not helmets or the race in Texas.

"We aren't even thinking about that race right now," he said.

 

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