Former NASCAR Driver Scott Speed Suffers Broken Back in Racing Accident

Awful news from former NASCAR driver Scott Speed.

Speed, who was driving in the American RallyCross Championship Nitro World Games in Salt Lake City, Utah this week, had a hard landing on a jump during qualifying for the event. When the car landed, it actually broke three vertebrae in his back.

Reportedly Speed finished the qualifying session while injured.

Speed posted the update to his Facebook page along with a photo of him in the hospital giving a thumbs up.

Speed’s team Subaru USA released the following statement following the qualifying session:

“Unfortunately, Scott Speed suffered a back injury during the first qualifying heat after a hard landing over a jump. He was able to finish the heat and exit the car, but has been transported to a local hospital for medical evaluation. Scott will miss the remainder of the event.”

Scott Speed was an integral part in the now-defunct NASCAR team Red Bull Racing.

Speed drove for Red Bull Racing during his two full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series seasons.

Speed’s best finish in 118 Cup Series starts was a fifth place effort at Talladega in 2009.

Additionally, Speed won a NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Race at Dover International Speedway in 2008 while driving for Bill Davis Motorsports.