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November 16, 2009

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NASCAR’s John Nemechek dies

Friday, March 21, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Nemechek, 27, died at 11:30 a.m., a day after doctors at Jackson Memorial Hospital had said that his vital signs remained stable and that pressure on the brain due to the injury had not increased.

Nemechek had developed some chemical imbalance throughout his system due to a slight deterioration in kidney function, the hospital said Thursday.

He had been on life support since the crash during the Florida Dodge Dealers 400 at the Homestead Motorsports Complex near Miami. His truck hit the wall on the first turn in the 144th lap at the 1.57-mile track.

The brain injury was inoperable, according to Dr. Phillip Villanueva, director of the neuro-trauma at the hospital.

Nemechek's brother, NASCAR Winston Cup driver Joe Nemechek, and other family members were at his side when he died.

Joe Nemechek is withdrawing from Sunday's Winston Cup TransSouth Financial 400 at Darlington, S.C., and will be replaced by Phil Parsons, Sands said.

NASCAR president Bill France issued a statement expressing condolences to the family.

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